A LUNATIC AT LARGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 384, 29 February 1908, Page 3

A LUNATIC AT LARGE.

Sensation at Foxton Beach.

The residents, visitors, and the local beach were rather startled on Thursday evening last by a huge man in nature’s nudity emerging from the water in their midst. A number of ladies who had been enjoying their constitutional ran pell mell to the nearest habitations and locked themselves in. In the haste to reach places of safety they were falling over one another, and. for a time the excitement exceeded all bounds. The male portion of the population, as the lords of creation, sallied out to interview the wild man from the sea. He was to be seen from a distance gesticulating in such a wild and excited manner, as to leave no doubt but that the serene and happy shores of the Manawatu had been invaded by a lunatic. On coming to close quarters this opinion was confirmed. With as little delay as. possible the poor fe’low was placed in a hut, and a watch set, while* the police was immediately communicated with. The local force with their noted smartness proceeded to the scene, lind in a short time landed the man in the Foxton cells. It has transpired that the man was an escapee from the Porirna Asylum, and escaped on 24th inst. He walked Up along the coast, and when coming to the Manawatu Heads stripped and swam the river, carrying his clothes with him, but they were swept away by the current. The poor {fellow seemed glad to be cared for, and was accompanied,to his place of defection by Constable Dickson yesterday. i