TRUCULENT PRISONERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 215, 10 September 1937, Page 6

TRUCULENT PRISONERS

SCENE AT FREEZING WORKS [ Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 9. While a parly of police stood below two escaped prisoners who were “treed” in the rafters of a building at the Islington freezing works hurled defiance in the shape of detachable portions of machinery. The two men escaped from the Paparua Prison quarry shortly before 5 o’clock last evening, and it was not until 7.30 that they were recaptured. The men were both sentenced to terms at the prison within the last two months. The search was narrowed down to the area around the freezing works, and a party of about 20 men under Detective-Sergeant Bickerdike went to the scene. The prisoners had hidden themselves in two vats used for churning blood and bone for manufacture. One of the searchers accidentally switched on the control for the vat and the machinery inside began to move. Immediately one of the prisoners came out from his hiding place and made his way to the rafters of the roof. His companion soon followed him up amongst the rafters. The men made their stand and resolutely refused to come down. It was at this stage that the missiles were thrown. However, the prisoners’ truculent attitude was soon changed when a strong stream of water from a fire hose was directed on them. Their position was made untenable and they surrendered.