PURSUIT OF THE FIJIAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1288, 30 September 1880, Page 2

PURSUIT OF THE FIJIAN.

Great excitement prevailed in Quoonsfcreet on Monday evening about 9 o'clock when it transpired that a fiendish attempt to commit a double murder had been pepetiated by a Fijian. The scene ot the attempted murder was Upper Queen - street, in the hou*e of Mr Saukey. The Fijian had been in the seivice of Mr E<h\\ud Thomas Willcott for a period of about .seven year-, in Fiji, with whom he came to Auckland about four weeks ago. Up to last evening Ins conduct had boen excellent, and the family placed the utmost confidence in his docility and faithfulness. But between 8 and 9 o'clock last evening Mr Willcott's two sons were engaged in a friendly game of cards with two friends of a family named Sankey, in the house of the latter. While they were thus engaged, and were not suspecting any danger, the Fijian suddenly entered the room. The game and the conversation were continued, and no suspicions were entertained of the tragedy which was about to be enacted. The Fijian bo contrived to disguise his murderous intentions that nothing unusual was observed in his manner, until he suddenly drew an axe which he had held by his side and

Made a Desperate Stroke at Gibson Willcott, a boy only eleven years of age, who was at the table. The axe descended on the boy's head, and there 13 no doubt that the Fijian intended to cleave his .skull at one blow. As it was the we.ipou inflicted a dangerous wound, extending- four inches in length in a diagnial direction from the temple to the, crown of the head. The s.ivage next attempted to kill one of the .Sankeys, aiming a deadly blow at his head, but in his fury he missed his murk, the axe inflicting a serious bruise. He then aimed a second blow, striking Sankey on the face with the side of the weapon, and causing a severe contusion. The sci earns of the lads speedily laised an alarm, during Vnich the Fijian ran out of the back of the house, taking the axe with him. A lad who was outride 'tttemptcd to bar his progress, but was threatened v/ith the uplifted axe and desisted. A domestic .servant also .stood in his way, bat he threw a brick at her, which fortunately missed its mark. The lf j ast injured of the two Sankey's ran down Queen .street ardgave information to Constable MeGilp, who accompanied him to the scene ot the outrage, and taking m the situation of affairs at a glance, made all haste to get medical assistance. Fortunately the services oi Dr. Hooper were immediately available, and having proceeded to the hoiibc the doctor diosit'd the M ounds, which in the ease of one of the boys the doctor considers i ry serious. Meanwhile, Constables Goidon and Mc(iilp weie following up the trail of the Fijian, whom they trailed as far a-, the junction of Symonds-->treet and Kar.ingaJiape Road. The afr.nr had als:> been reported at the police station, and no time was lost by 31 r. (Superintendent Thomson and .Sub-Inspector Fardy in taking immediate steps to seeiue the captuie of the Fijian.

How the Fijian came to Auckand. Mr. Wilcott came to Auckland about four years ago f 10m Fiji, where ho has been suttled. tor somo yuais. His object ■was to purchase sheep and ship to the islands. He took up his residence at Mi. iSankey's liousu m Upper Queeu-street. The Fiji. in, who is known as "'Joe," accompanied him from Fiji. JLe had ah\ a} i been trustworthy and steady, and .is a great favourite A\ith the iamily. His piesent conduct was altogether unaecoiintable, but it is thought that maddened by dunk lie had lesohed, a-> i>s common with South Sea Inlanders, to mu ,i muck of destruction. Hi-, age is about '20.

The Act Premeditated. It appe us th.it the act inu.st ha\ c been piemeditated, beeuibc .some little time betore the assault on the boyb was committed Constable 'Jordou, an ho a\ as <ittne.linpl.im clothes, was landing in Queen-street near the coiner of olleilfy - sti cot when he saw the Fijian passing up -with an axe m hi-> hand w Inch h (> was apparently trying to conci al from tlieir ob-^eiN .ition. This was so obvious that Constable Uordon's .suspicion-* wcii? aiou-itHl. and he dnccted the attention of Constable Gormon who was on (lutj r at the spot, of the circumstance. A short consultation resulted in Constable Cordon intercepting 1 and interrogating the Fiji.m, who did not appear intoxicated or iiudtr auy excitement and a\ms ablo to give a .s.itistaetoiy acoimt of hib residence and business. He w,ii accordiuly allowed to pass on. The Constable, however, had time to examine the weapon, which he describes as an ordinary squaring .ixe, witli ex luuidle about | a toot in length and a wide bkde. It is -aid that it had been used by the Fijian iv chopping fiicwood. Mr -jiukey'h hou^e, where the outiago I took place, is a two stoiey budding, eon- ! htructed of stone, and situated iv Ilokeby- ! stieet — a thoroughfare running to the c Ist a little higher up Upper Queeu-.street i than the Tuikish Baths. I

The Pursuit. Supcrintciidant Thomson placed a troop of mounted con -tables under the command ot Sub-Inspector P.irdy, with instructions to scour the district in search of the fugitive, while he himself took charge of the remainder of the available force. The cemetery in which the Fijian was supposed to be lurking, was surrounded, and a vigilent seaic-h made through all the coveibof the place. Nothing, however, transpired duung the night of any note, but the search was not suspended for any time. Sub-Inspector Pardy, in an earlier investigations ascertained the fact that a Fijian had been observed passing the Eden Vine Hotel in the direction of Morningside at eleven o'clock List night, but there was nothing in his demeanour to raise suspicion. At twenty minutes past five o'clock this morning a milkman named Matthew Crawford, who resides at Mount Albert, was coming along into town, when just as he leached Mr Pattersou's house on the New North Road lie discerned a man lying on the f urtuer side of the thoroughfare.