An Extraordinary Lapse of Memory.

Manawatu Herald, 22 February 1896, Page 2

An Extraordinary Lapse of Memory.

A itrange case of tots of memory is reported from Melbourne. On Saturday afternoon a Werribee butcher named Duggan, while looking over some graiing property on the You Yang ranges, came aorou s respectably dressed man in a half* sleeping condition on the side of a hill. The man rose and aoinmeneed to look around him in a strange and frightened manner. Duggan bade him " Good day," and inquired if ne had lost his way. The stranger made no reply, bat simply stared around him, hardly notioing Duggan. In answer to a query as to his name he shook his head, and in a feeble voice said " I don't know." When aaked where he lived he shook his head in a manner that showed he did not even understand the question. The stranger was brought into Werribee, where farther attempts were made to get his name and address, but he replied in an almost inaudible voice that he " did not know." A oonstable made a search of his olothes, and found a sum of money, which showed that he was not in want. In his goat pocket there were a lot of sea shells, and in an inside pocket some papers, amongst whioh was an envelope bearing the address of " A. Williams, Fergie-street, North Fitßroy." To this address a telegram was forwarded, and by the afternoon train two gentlemen from Melbourne arrived. They- immediately recognised him as Alfred Williams, of the address given. One was his uncle and the other his brother-in-law. They both spoke to him, but he took no notice of them Whatever, He looked at them in a strange way, as if he did not recognise them. When asked if he knew them he replied " Mo," and to an enquiry if he had seen them before he gave the same quick reply. Williams is a married man, and about 80 years of ago. Lately he has been in bad spirits, owing to some financial losses he sustained, and on Thursday last his wife found a note in the house saying that lie was gping for a long walk. As he did not retutn at the expected time she reported bis disappearance to the police. His relatives returned to Melbourne with Williams in their i charge.— Pout.