DETECTIVES' MAN-HUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 283, 27 November 1905, Page 5

DETECTIVES' MAN-HUNT.

XHBOU6H SCBVB AND CREEK.

A eUCCESSFCTX. CHASS.

Not long ago a particularly dastardly assault oa a schoolgirl in the neighbourhood of Bixken-Uead set the whole locality into an excited nutter, and the residents, together with the police, formed search parties to thorougnly scour tiie rough country between Cnelsea and Riverhead. No trace was found of the giri's assailant, and considerable uneasiness was felt in the district at the possibility of such a, desperate character being still at large. Tnia feeling was intensined on Friday, when it became known tnat a girl ox seven years of age had been indecently assaulted by some man while she was going on an errand in the evening. It was stated that the giri's mother, alarmed at her non-return, went out to search, and discovered her daughter in the hands of a man, who quickly made himself scarce when she came into view.

There was a delay of two hours be-, fore the police became aware of the outrage, but, once informed, they lost no time in thoroughly investigating the affair. Chief-Detective Marsack, accompanied by Detectives Fahey, Miller, and Bailey, went over to Birkenhead at 8 o'clock, and were joined by the local constable ißowles). On arrival at the wharf they found that two residents had "held up" a man whom they saw running down the hill for the steamer. They had chased the niE.n, who increased their suspicions that he was concerned in the reported outrage by running all the faster. They eventually caught him, and received with incredulity his protestations that he wa.s an innocent settjer who was in a hurry. To ascertain whether he was correct in his statement, the detectives had to walk several miles. They then found that the Birkenhead residents had made a mistake.

Dividing into two parties, the de-ee- +- tives, who were in possession of a ueseription of the supposed assailant, spent the whole night in the ti-tree which covers the undulating ranges around Birkenhead. With the daybreak they commenced, a thorough search of the scrub, and although they made do arrest they learned that a strange man was camping in the scrub. The detectives had thoroughly tired themselves out, and a rest was necessary. On Sunday, however, the search was renewed, with the result that about a mile from Takapuna Detectives Miller and Fahey came across the stranger. He acted suspiciously by running away when the detectives approached. The officers also ran, and their quarry made for a creek several yards in width. Scrambling through the scrub, the man waded into the water, and found himself out of his depth. He ■persevered, and reached the opposite side without his hat. His manoeuvre did not prevent the detectives keeping close up to their fugitive, for they also struggled through the muddy creek, with its scrub-covered banks. After sprinting for a mile over rough country, the man returned to the creek, which he again crossed. His determined pursuers also took to the water, but for a time they loet sight of their man. Then he was sees, minus some of t>ic clothing, crawling on hands and knees through the scrub. When the detectives again Chased him hotly he dashed, across some open ground towards 'Mr White's , orchard. This was his worst move, for he was headed off by a Mr R. Irwin, who came out of Mr White's house and stopped him. The fugitive was found to be a tall, powerfully-built man named William Fox, who3e age is about 35 years. He was brought to Auckland during the afternoon. Detectives Fahey and Miller covered about three miles of exceedingly rough country during their chase, and are to be congratulated upon being able to follow up their fugitive with success.

Fox came before Mr G. C. Kettle, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, charged with indecently assaulting a girl aged seven years at Birkenhead on Friday. Chief-Detective Marsack asked for a week's remand, stating that the accused was only arrested yesterday after a long chase. The witnesses were s<M.ttered ii round Birkenhead.. and it would take some time to collect their evidence. The accused remarked that it was not necessary to get witnesses, as he wa» irawing up a statement. Mr Marsaek replied that the man had practically admitted the offence, but it would be necessary to take evidence, as the case would have to go to the Supreme Court. Fox was then remanded in cokcody for a week.