AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Issue 3666, 28 September 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

This day.

A Human Fiend. A South. Sea Islander Murders Europeans. Several Persons Injured. Capture of the Monster.

At nine o'clock last night two lads named Willcott were sitting in a room playing a game of cards. The Fijian came into the room and nothing particular was noticed in his manner ; bat suddenly he whisked from his side an axe, with which he made a desperate stroke at Gibson Wilcott, a bay of eleven years of age, inflicting a dangerous nound four inches in length, extending from the temple to the, crown of the head in a diagonal direction. He struck the second boy on the back of the neck inflicting a severe braise. The Fijian then decamped. The police, when then acquainted, followed in pursuit, and were out all night searching for him.

After the murderous assault by the Fijian last night the police started in pursuit. Inspector Fardy taking charge of the mounted men, and scouring tbe district, while the -- Superintendent took charge of the men on foot, and surrounded the cemetery in which the Fijian was supposed to be secreted. The surmise proved incorrect. Information went to shew the Fijian had been seen at eleven o'clock passing Eden Vine hotel, going away from town. This morning a milkman named Matthew Crawford, residing near Mount Albert found the body of a man lying on the road some distance from Eden Vine hotel, with a clean cut on the back of his skull which must hare been instantaneously fatal. The milkman reported the matter to the police.

Aq investigation disclosed that tbe murdered man's name is Edward Race, who resides with his wife aud family oil the .New North Road near Morningside. It is surmised that last night be and the Fijian must have met, and the Fijian probably afterwards crept noiselessly behind him and dealt him a fatal blow from behind. This morning the Fijian made his appearance in the Mount Albert district.

News has just been received that after felling a washerwoman near Melville's place and breaking her arm, the Fijian made off, hotly pursued, and was eventually captured, and is now on his way to the poiice station.