SAVAGE ASSAULT BY A MADMAN.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1744, 22 September 1879, Page 3

SAVAGE ASSAULT BY A MADMAN.

[" Nelson Mail," September 17th.] As Mr Dwyer, who lives at the foot of the Maungatapu, was preparing to come into town yesterday morning a man walked up to his house and entered into conversation with him. After talking for some little time Dwyer turned to go into the house, and was walking towards it with the stranger by his side, when the latter said, " What's that you've got on your back?" Without thinking Dwyer turned his back towards him, when he received a violent blow on the spine. Turning round he in return let out at his assailant and felled him to the ground, where he sat for a few minutes without saying a word. An introduction between the two parties having been thus pleasantly effected, the stranger asked first for something to eat, and some bread was given to him, then for beer and spirits, which were refused, whereupon he craved a drink of water. This was supplied, and seemed to invigorate him, for, immediately getting on to his feet, he made a rush at Dwyer, who bolted into the house and attempted to close the door, but his assailant was too quick and too powerful for him, and bursting the door open threw him upon his back on the stairs where he clutched his throat, and struck him several heavy blows with his fist. After a time Dwyer succeeded in struggling to his feet, when the two went out, and again the madman rushed at him, and threw him to the ground, seized him by the throat with one hand, and repeated the hammering operation with the other. Dwyer contrived to Btrike him a blow which staggered him, and again succaeded in shaking himself free, and finding that his strength was failing him, he thought the best thing he could do was to seek safety in flight. He therefore ran off, but the stranger did not pursue him, and he reached Mr Smith's house about three miles nearer town in safety. He related his exceedingly unpleasant adventure, and Mrs Smith sent her son to Nelson to inform the police. Constable Levy was at once sent off, and on reaching Dwyer's house he saw the madman outside who pointed a gun, which he had in his hand, at him, but Peter is not nervous, so he went on up to the man who at once gave up himself and the gun which he had taken from Dwyer's house, and which proved to be not loaded. On entering the house it was found that he had been making use of his time during Dwyer's absence, having smashed every window in the house, not only the glass but the sashes, and further, having collected every article of furniture that he could lay his hand on and solemnly burnt the whole lot. He was brought into town, and the police at once communicated by wire with Havelock to ascertain if he had passed through there, and they learned in reply that his name was Patrick Kirwin, and that he had been committed for trial at Picton for cattle stealing, but had been released on bail. He was yesterday afternoon, brought before Mr Broad, who remanded him, and he wbs sent up to the gaol. We learn from Mr Shallcrass that after having his tea be went to his cell perfeotly quiet, but about midnight he was taken with another fit of madness, and made the most frightful noises, both by crying out and in his endeavors to break out of the cell. This lasted until morning, when he gradually became quiet again. There appears to be little doubt that he is a raving madman, and altogether he is about as ugly a customer as one could wish to m«et with in an out of the way place iuch as is Mr Dwyer's, who is to be congratulated on having escaped with bis life.