MADMAN CAPTURED

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1929, Page 3

MADMAN CAPTURED

ROAMING HILLS WITH SLASHER

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright

NEW PLYMOUTH; August 15.

Settlers at Okoke and. Urui babe | been alarmed by a man* apparently , deranged, wandering, im the bush [country for some weeksi visited homesteads- when, the men. were away ■ and terrified the women. A heifer, : found killed with a slasher; had' apparently been used for food.

, The man, who is 30 years of age, Was formerly employed by Mr J. Darke, of Okoke.

The man who has roamed the Okeke district \ with a slasher for the past • fortnight,, causing alarm amongst residents because of his- alleged/ entry of several homes and the finding of a, heifer decapitated and partly, dismem- ; bered, was arrested without trouble : toKlay after a long search by. Constable i Mills and) settlers. , He had slept on Wednesday night in a. shed, on the property, of W. Hardgraves; Tlie settler gave him breakfast this- morning, and: he accepted . work- on. the property.

t Constable Mills was. informed, and took the man in’ charge without, diffi- • culty.. >

The 1 slasher, it is said, had. been, left back in the hills. The man was known in the district .as,Johnson, but it is doubted if tTTat .is his correct name. He will appear ,in. the New Plymouth' Court.to-morrow.