A PRISONER'S ESCAPE.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 4854, 15 November 1911, Page 4

A PRISONER'S ESCAPE.

By Telegraph. Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A prisoner who was being escorted to Auckland escaped from custody by jumping off the Main Trunk express this morning, shortly after five o’clock, when the train was about ten minutes this side of Mercer. The man is an Italian, Shlvetti Dario by name, who came to New Zealand as one of the crew of the Italian barque Australia, now lying in Auckland harbour. At Wellington Dario, who is restricted from remaining in the Dominion by the fact that he is unable to pass tho immigration education test, deserted the ship at Wellington, and disappeared. About a week later ho was arrested at Westport on a charge of false pretences, and sentenced to 1-1 days’ imprisonment in Auckland gaol, whence he was to be taken and put aboard his ship. He was being escorted to Auckland by Constable Hodgson, and they left Wellington by the express yesterday. Just after the train left Mercer the two were changing carriages in order to get into one that was served by a lavatory, the prisoner going in front of the constable. When he got on the platform between the two carriages, the prisoner, without hesitation, leapt oil the train, despite the fact that it was travelling at a high speed. He was seen by the constable to fall and roll over, but be was apparently unhurt, as he got to bis feet and started to run along the railway towards Mercer. As soon as possible the constable got into communcication with the police ot the district, and search was commenced. Up to this evening no news bad beer, received of Dario’s recapture. Uiario is a man 2S or 30 years of age. He is sft Gin or sft Tin in height, and dark complexion, having a uark moustache and about a week’s growth of black, scrubby, beard. At the time of his escape he was wearing trousers of a blue serge stuff, a brown coat and vest, and a white straw boater hat. He does not apeak English fluently. Auckland, This Day. The prisoner Salvetti Dario, who esaped from custody by jumping off the Main Trunk express yesterday, was captured at Olabubu by Constable Sherman.