AN ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM GAOL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 10018, 1 June 1894, Page 2

AN ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM GAOL.

GIBBS TRIES TO REMOVE THE BARS FROM HIS CELL. SENTENCED TO IRONS. THIS X>A."Vr. George Gibbs was charged at the Police Court this morning before Messrs C. Rennell and W. M. Runciman, J.P 's, with a breach of " The Prisons Act, 1883," by attempting to escape from custody. He pleaded not guilty. Mr Riekerby, the Governor of the gaol, explained to the Bench that one of the gaol officials on examining the prisoner's cell found that tho wall had been tampered with, and reported the matter. The cell was then examined and it was discovered that the cement had been worked away round the iron bars in the window, and on search being made for an instrument it was discovered that a spoon had been shaped into a chisel end and used to work the cement away. The holes had been filled up with rags, which had been smeared over with whiting. He mentioned that each prisoner was allowed rags and whiting in his cell for cleaning purposes. Mr Runciman asked if any other prisoner had been in the same cell. Mr Rickeiby said that no other prisoner had been in the cell since Gibbs was sentenced in April last to four years for embezzlement. The walls could not have been tampered with previously, as the cells were always inspected. The prisoner had evidently done tnework at night, for he was away at the breakwater all day. John Theobald, warder, gave evidence that on Thursday afternoon he was examining the cells, and wb<en he went in prisoner's cell his attention was drawn to a place which appeared to have/ been tampered with. On examination it was found that there were holes made in the wall near the bars, and these holes 'were stuffed up with rags and smeared over with whiting. Prisoner had used up nearly all tho whiting and rags. Mr Runciman wanted to know if a prisoner was allowed a spoon at all times in his cell. Mr Riekerby said that a spoon was a part of a prisoner's furniture. Prisoner said that the marks were in the cell when he was first put there, and the dampness of the whiting over the holes he accounted for by stating that the rain on Sunday nighti had come in through the crevices, He further added that he had no desire to escape from the gaol, for he had papers there which lie desired to take with him, as they would prove that he was not altogther guilty of the charge of embezzlement for which he was sentenced. Mr Riekerby said that as the prisoner was not classed he had no. marks to lose, and therefore the only way to punish him was close confinement in irons or bread and water diet. After some deliberation the Bench sentenced prisoner to ten days' close confinement in irons. The Court rose.