A DASH FOR LIBERTY.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 12, 15 January 1924, Page 7

A DASH FOR LIBERTY.

THREE "HABITUALS" ESCAPE. AT LARGE SINCE LAST NIGHT. A successful break for liberty from the i Mount Eden gaol was made by three ! prisoners towards nightfall yesterday. In spite of an untiring search by the i authorities, the men were still at large at time of going to press. All three escaped men have been declared habitual criminals, their names being William J. Davidson, alias Albert Dempsey, alias Bob Ryan, alias John Milsom; Herbert Helm, alias George Stewart; and William Searbroa. The prisoners were members of a gang employed in the erection of cottages on the lower slopes of the north-east sido of Mount Eden. Although the get-a-way which was made about 4.40 p.m., was noticed by the warders in charge, they were compelled to remain with the remainder of the gang and thus the escaping men obtained a good start. A search party was immediately organised, and was soon hot on the heels of the escapees, who raced up St. Mark's Road, across Remuera Road and down Bassett Road to the Parnell Beach. Here the men managed to elude their pursuers, and were last seen making in the direction of the city. Davidson is 31 years old, Tift "in in height, with a rubicund complexion, large nose, brown hair, and blue eves. He has several tattoo marks on his body, having a large star on the hack of his right hand, and is a Xew Zealander following the occupation of a labourer. He was convicted at Auckland in November, IDIO, on five charges of forging and uttering, and four charges of false pretenses, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment on each charge. Searbroa is a negro, aged 37 years, and about sft Tin in height. He is of medium build, with black hair, 'blue eyes and a broad nose. On his right forearm is tattooed a lady's hand and< some flowers, while crossed flags have been tattooed on both wrists. At the time of the escape he was serving a sentence of three months, having been convicted at Auckland .on January 4 on a charge of vagrancy and consorting with undesirables. Helm, who is 35 years of age, is of a strong build, and the same height as Davidson. He has a pale complexion, with hazel eyes, and sharp features. There is a scar on the middle finger of his left hand. He was convicted in August of last year on charges of forgery and uttering, and received a sentence of three years. Boat owners are warned to look after their craft, as it is possible that the escapees will endeavour to make a get-a-way from Auckland by means of the sea. The last escajies from Mt. Eden occurred during July of last year, when on the Otli of that month four prisoners, Charles King, Richard Hoyes, Eric Robert Burnett, and Lawrence Egniont Windsor, who were working in the quarry, suddenly threw down their tools and made a dash for freedom. The former two were recaptured within a few hours, but the other pair evaded capture for some days. During the same month another prisoner named Frank Bailer made his escape by means of a ladder of knotted blankets, but his freedom was shortlived, and he was soon retaken and placed within the familiar grey walls.