RUNAWAY FROM AN ASYLUM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1645, 11 January 1913, Page 6

RUNAWAY FROM AN ASYLUM.

JOHNSTON STILL AT LARGE, EXTRAORDINARY LETTER. ALLEGATION OF LUNACY DENIED. (By Telegraph..—Speoial Correspondent.)' Auckland, January 10. The Waihi correspondent of tho Auckland "Star" states that Mrs. Johnston, wife of Thomas Henry' Johnston, tho arbitrationist who was shot in the leg during the fighting at Waihi previous to | the shooting of Constable Wade, has a sensational statement signed and written by her husband since his. escape from the Mental Hospital at Avondale. It will be remembered that Johnston was committed to the institution on December H, •and that he effected his escape last Saturday, and has not yet been recaptured. In his -statement, Johnston strenuously denies the' allegations of lunacy, ana questions the methods adopted in regard to his: commitment to the Mental Hospital. He also touches upon his escape and experiences in getting • away. The statement proceeds as follows:— "I left home at 10.30 on December 14 last intending to to back for dinner. I saw a police official at about'll a.m. ' On asking if I could get my court' expenses for appearing in.cases connected with Evans of November 12, he- asked me why I wanted them. Was it because I was shot, or was it because I was going away ? I said I was hot 'flush,' but was going to take a fortnight's holiday, seeing it was near Christmas, and that a change would do me a world of good. I went to the police station, and on asking about expenses' he (the official) said . presently: 'By the way, I am going to help you, 6eeing you are not financially placed.' He returned later with a doctor. \ I related how'my father was nn invalid, and of wealthy parentage, and now as a boy I was not, nor had been, as.robust in health as other men, my trouble being nervousness of speech, which made me a poor conversationalist and poor at repartee. Later on another doctor arrived. I refused to answer'any questions' on , tho ground that I was trapped. Then the two doctors and the sergeant closeted themselves, and I was called in and informed that they had decided to send me away for a month's holiday to a Government sanatorium, where I- would have nothing to do but eat, drink, sleep, and rest, and- that the Government and townspeople would provide for my wjfo and family: I then did the most natural thing;. I shed a few bitter tears, knowing how detrimental it would to my wife and family and myself. for •me to be branded as a lunatic, and my , home broken up. Needless' to say, my wife swallowed the pill, and I had only the heart,to contradict it once when sho said 'Good-bye' at the raiway station.. . "After the doctors had left, a police officer rung up two justices ]of the peace. One appeared at 5 oclock,and read nn application for my commitment through several times, and eyed me closely before signing. The other J.P. arrived at 5.10, glanced through the document, reading twice over ithe part why, application was made and looking at me. .Neither of the'justices asked any questions as ■ regards proof of the statements or how' they_were arrived, at. About 5.40 I was driven away with a few sandwiches, and'that was all I had to eat from Saturday morning's breakfast till Sunday. " The document also 6aid that I was likely to commit suicide at,any time, easily given to tears, nnd was epileptic. .Neither I nor any of my people have ever had an epileptic fit. "From 10 o'clock on ' Saturday night last I covered an average of ;50. miles daily,. walking flight and day, ill sunshine and rain. On Saturday and Sunday I had breakfast only, and a kit of bread and some water only.on Monday/Is a man likely to commit.suicide who can ;dp .that arid carry his escape: through with courage and daring so as \to place these facts as stated in this letter before the •public? It is rather amusing that in tho papers of Monday it was stated thatl had a fit,of depression. Thatvis an erroneous idea. -The attendants often pointed me out to the other patients as. being the father of seven children, .and yet is' not, being troubled. I made the best of life by working, Teading,. or trying to advise others • how to live to obtain a speedy recovery, and I thought but-.a plan of escnpe when opportunity offered. 1 The attendant who was-, in charge of.mc on Saturday morning was within two feet.of mo four different times,' nnd on five other occasions .within; a few" yards; but tho gorse was , thick and thorny for the flesh.

. "I am pleased to say that in, any test during' mygsojourn nd trace of. insanity cnnld be found and the.main opinion of officials was that I should not have been sent in. At. my first interview with., Dr. Beattie, he said': 'I tell you what,' Johnston. If'you not do anything rash in Waihi you should not be hero; but.l cannot -let you igo Unless the'-statements are not -bafed on ..anything -occurring lately.'. 1 saw Dr. Beattie last Friday and as he had been .too ( bnsy to investigate it (as he. had promised to go to Waihi and investigate personally) I precipitated matters. I think the circumstances of the case warrant me in stating the,foregoing regardless of 'red-tape'." Johnston concludes his. statement by claiming a right to. defend himself againstcharges of insanity. _Tho police have not yet succeeded: in finding Johnston. ; Mounted troopers have scoured the country in the direction of the Waikato. It is considered probr.ble that the runaway has received friendly aid since his escape in his efforts to keep out of sight. • ';■■