SHOCKING OUTRAGE AT KAIAPOI.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2750, 16 January 1882, Page 3

SHOCKING OUTRAGE AT KAIAPOI.

On Friday evening a very serious assault was made on a young girl of scarcely eight years of age, daughter of one of the leading merchants' in the town, -which,, on being known, caused great excitement. The child had, it appears, been playing about her father’s house in Jones street, and was missed about eight o’clock. This led to a search being made by the neighbors and friends of the parents, and it was not till nearly nine o’clock that the child was found by Mr J. Bugg near the Morgue, close to the river, where she was lying in a prostrated condition. It was at once apparent to those who found her that a most brutal and inhuman outrage had been committed upon her. She was' at once conveyed home, and the rumor spread rapidly through the town, and a meeting was at once held, at which over 100 people were present, to decide upon what steps - should be taken. Mr J. Hurse, J. P., was present, and the old spirit of duty being revived, he at once laid a scheme before those present which was soon arranged. It. was to have the town aeonred lor the villain, and to leave no atone unturned- to have him secured without delay. In this the searchers were assisted by the evidence of some other girls, who had seen a man whom they partially described, and who had, it appeared, attempted to induce others to go with him, under the pretext of •bowing him where- different people lived. Accordingly the search went on, and the town was alive the whole night with the party, who persisted in the most energetic manner in their selfimposed task. During the night, however, intelligence reached Sergeant Gilbert that a man answering to the description of the one whom the children had described had been seen going in the direction of Ohoka, without a coat and with a black hat on, Mr Hurse, Sergeant Gilbert and Mr T. Wilson at once started in a buggy for the Ohoka, and from the information they continued to glean they proceeded to a house near the Mandeville Kailway station, where a man named William Hart resides. Hart was arrested, as from the description given, as well as the fact that his boots bore marks of river mud, similar to that in ths neighborhood of where the girl was found, and his trousers were wet and stained with blood, they were convinced that this was the man. In answer to questions by Mr Hurse and Sergeant Gilbert, the man gave ■ome very evasive and contradictory statements, and appeared surprised at being arrested. It appears that Hart has lived at this house for some time, as he has been working in the neighborhood at uprooting stnmps. He is better known by the name of “ Bill the Barman,” having acted in that capacity for several hotelkeepers, via., Mr Shearman at Ash burton, the Methven Hotel, the Garrick Hotel, Christchurch, and the last occupation of the kind at which be has been|engaged was at the Ohoka Baces, where he was temporarily employed by Mr Bnrnip. He was when formerly in employment smart and active, and had not the “ unkempt” appearance that he now has. Ho was cohabiting with a woman at the time of the assault, having lived with her for some time, and she in a measure assisted the arresting party, by indentifying the hat that the Sergeant showed her us the one that he wore. During the whole of the proceedings and the • journey to Kaiapoi he was silent, and he was locked up at five o’clock. The man had no doubt been drinking daring the day. On Saturday afternoon ho was brought up before Mr Whitef oord on the charge, and was formally remanded till to-day, but it is understood that a further remand will be applied for till Wednesday to enable the police to collect evidence. Sergeant Gilbert has been assisted in this by Detective Neil, and several witnesses will be called in the case. Tnis farther delay will also enable the little girl to be present to give evidence. She is now progressing as favourably as possible under Dr Ovenden’scare.—(“ Lyttelton Times.”)

A general meeting’of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society will be held this evening to receive preliminary balance sheet and other bus iness; - > 1 ; ' A tea and entertainment by the teachers and children attending the Wesleyan Sunday School will be given in the schoolroom to-morrow evening.

Single fare tick its to Tim-r.i from any station beween Ashburton and Oamaru (inclusive) issued on . Wednesday, the day of th'b All England match at Timaru, will be available for return on either Wednesday or Thursday. We hope to see a good many lovers of the game from the country taking advantage of this concession. His Honor Judge Ward commenced the usual monthly sitting of the Dis'rict Court at Timaru this morning. The Court was chiefly occupied in hearing cases connected with the bankruptcy of Boyd Thomson, butcher of Temuka, Timaru and Albury, and up to the time of our going to press, no decisions had been given. The cases were claims to have proofs of debt admitted, which were rejected by the trustees of the estate. ,