ECCENTRIC ACT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 830, 31 May 1910, Page 7

ECCENTRIC ACT.

MAN RESISTS HIS RESCUERS. (3> TetecraDD- —Frees Association. , Auckland, May 30. A printer, named Edwin Wright, is stated to havo attempted to urown himself in the harbour off Orakei Creek yesterday morning. As Mr. Hubert Howls and a party of young men were proceeding in a motor launch past Orakei Creek at 10.30 a.m., their attention was attracted by a man fully dressed walking out from the shore. This struck them ns being somewhat si range, and they kept close watch on tho man, who kept-on walking into deeper water. When liti had waded n certain distance out he startled the party of onlookers by (living under the water. The launch was at. once directed to the spot, and Mr. Monds nnd his friends succeeded in pulling the man on board. In accomplishing this task, however, they had considerable difficulty, as apparently the ninn did not want to be rescued, and resisted violently.

When safely on board the launch the rescued individn.il gave bis name as Edwin Wright, and said he resided at « Federal Street. Ho demanded of the party: "Why did you not let me drown ?" Then, without warning, lie attempted to dive overboard. This liu was prevented from doing, and Monds, being df opinion that Wright's mental balance was unhinged, bound him down with ropes and brought him back to town. On arrival at Auckland, Monds handed his charge over to Sergeant Tiamsuy, who searched him. In one of Wright's pockets the police officer found a note worded as follows: "Hounded down by police and public, I confess. My life policy is at New Zealand Government Insurance Office. (Signed) Edwin Wright." Sergeant Ramsay arrested Wright on charge of attempting to commit suicide, nnd removed him to tho hospital for. treatment.