ESCAPED PRISONER ADMITS TO 29 CRIMES IN 26 DAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1949, Page 6

ESCAPED PRISONER ADMITS TO 29 CRIMES IN 26 DAYS

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA). - Twenty-nine crimes committed in Auckland in 26 days after his escape from Auckland prison, were admitted by Thomas William James in the Police Court today. The Justice o’ Peace committed him to the .Supreme Court for sentence. Handcuffed to a constable. James appeared to he resigned as the list of crimes was detailed. He chuckled to himself two or three times as bits of evidence were given and he had nothing to say. An account of his actions between his escape and departure in a stolen car for Wellington, was given hv James in a confession. He and another man. while sheltering in the prison shed from rain, made a break on the afternoon of August 26. James, who was outpaced by his companion, was fired at and knocked to the ground by pellets but ran on into the bush, lying low most of the day. He converted rars at nignr and drove around. He broke into five houses, searching for food. James was arrested alter a struggle at New Plymouth.

Inia Te Wiata, a Maori singer broadcasting in the 8.8.C.’s television service. Inia Te Wiata is studying at the Royal College of Music in London. In his native New Zealand he gained a scholarship which is given to those, especially Maoris, who show abundant talent but cannot afford to pay for training. Te Wiata, who is 32, is a bass singer who has been called New Zealand's Paul Robeson. He sings mainly traditional songs or ballads but his greatest ambition is to sing in grand opera. The famous bass, Peter Dawson, who heard Te Wiata when he was in New Zealand, has described him as the most promising singer he has ever heard. Inia Te Wiata is the son of a well known and highly respected Otaki Maori family, and loured Australia with the Methodist Maori Choir when he was only 16. He has also toured New Zealand three times with Maori concert parties. His wife is the neice of a Maori princess and they have several