A BURNHAM ABSCONDER.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12490, 17 March 1909, Page 2

A BURNHAM ABSCONDER.

RECAPTURE AND ESCAPE.

CONSTABLES' EXCITING CHASE

DEPREDATIONS IN THE BACKBLOCKS.

On the 29th of November last an inmate., of the Burnham Industrial School, flamed Albert William Foote, aged 20 years, escaped from that institution, and his whereabouts were not discovered until the middle of February last, when he was arrested at Wakamarina and taken to Blenheim to answer to a charge of absconding. While there he broke, gaol, and no trace of him was discovered until the police received word that he was working at Wairoa. Gorge. Accordingly, on Wednesday last, Constable . Fitzsimmons and Constable Knapp drove to the head of the Wairoa Gorge in search of the escapee. After travelling to the end of the road, Constable Fitzsimmons proceeded five or six miles through the bush, three of. which were along a narrow •bridle track, to where Foote. who was passing under the name of "Billy MaheT," was felling bush for Mr A. Baigent. Foote was arrested, but the constable could not handcuff him, as the offender had a heavy swag to carry, and the country was very rough. All went well until they got on to the bridle track, when Foote suddenly dashed down a steep face into the Wairoa » river, with the constable in. pursuit. Footo crossed the river three times, and eventually escaped into the bush, after a hard chase. While to Foote' s camp. Constable Fitzsimmons beard that he had a bicycle stowed away on _Mr Pearless'' property in the Wairoa Gorgej which, the constable recognised as the machine which had been stolen from Mr Eastcott, of Nelson. As the tires were punctured, and one pedal was missing, it was not anticipated that Foote would go after the machine, so the police officers returned to Mr Irvine's place in the Gorge, where Constable Fitzsimmons changed his wet clothes, at the same time asking Mr Irvine to keep watch for any strangers passing by. It was not anticipated that Foote would leave the bush until dark, so a cyclist who rode along was allowed to pass without question. A watch .was kept until half-past ten that night, when a young man named Andrews came along and. reported that his bicycle had been stolen. Then it dawned upon the pursuers that the cyclist who had ridden along while the constable changed his clothes was Foote, so his tracks were followed, until they were lost on the main road to Wakefield, which was reached by the police officers just before midnight. The nest morning telegrams were sent in all directions, and Constable Fitzsimmons proceeded as far as Kohatu, but no. trace of the espapee^could be discovered, -so he returned to town. On- Saturday afternoon a telephone message was received at the Police Station ""from Wakefield; informing them that a robbery had been comniited at~Mr Robert Baigent's house. Constable Fitzsimmons proceeded by the half-past four train to Wakefield, and made enquiries. He ascertained that ftfr Baigent's house had been broken, into and the place ransacked,' various sums of money, a gold brooch, a gold locket, arid other articles stolen. The whole family wore awaj'x at the_ time. In the course of his investigations, Constable Fitzsimmons learned from Mr Aubrey Baigent that at about 12.30 a.m. on Thursday last he was drying hops at the kiln, when the dogs started barking, and on going outside he saw Foote limping, towards him. Foote said that he had rheumatism, -and asked to be allowed to stay there that night. He made enquiries in regard to reaching Murchison and Collingwood, and the prospect of obtaining work in those places. He left the lcilu about 6.30 in the morning. On Friday a young man answering Foote' s description called at Waterhouse's store and purchased a pair of dark tweed'trousers,.with a narrow white stripe, a light skull cap, a black tie, two bottles of hop tonic, some biscuits and a packet of cigarettes for which ho paid cash. He also enquired for a pair of boots, size 9,vbut none were in stock. About midday the same day two boys saw a young man coming from the river bank by Mr Aubrey Baigent's, and on visiting, the place. Constable Fitzsimmons found two empty bottles, the remains of a meal, and two envelopes, which he recognised as similar to ones which Foote put into his pocket before leaving Wairoa Gorge. A cousin of Foote' s was liop-picking for Mr Baigent, and it is thought that he went to" see her. However, all trace of him has been lost, although a sharp look-out is being kept for him. Foote is described as being a wellbuilt young man, sft 9in in height, with brown hair and eyes, and fresh complexion. When arrested at Blenheim ho was wearing a grey tweed cap and trousers and dark coat, and pointed boots.