LIONEL TERRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 444, 22 December 1908, Page 3

LIONEL TERRY.

To be Removed to Sunnyelde.

It would suprise most people—and more especially those who regard him as a suffering hero —if they new to what length Lionel Terry goes to give annoyance and trouble to those whose duty it is to keep guard over him (says Christchurch Truth). The other evening Mr Cleary, Governor of the Gaol, informed a repurler that Terry still continues to disturb the nightly rest of the prisoners and warders in the gaol and the neighbourhood outside by his wild yelling and screaming and by his violent hammering on his cell door. On Sunday night he commenced the din at 8 o’clock just as people were coming out of church, and he continued yelling and shouting at frequent intervals until 2 o’clock on Monday morning. The warders and the prisoners are complaining bitterly of their sleep being disturbed every night, and Mr Cleary states that he can do nothing to prevent Terry from continuing his disgraceful behaviour. Mr Cleary states that Terry boasts that he will continue to give as much trouble as possible, with the idea that the authorities will eventually release him. His idea for creating the nightly disturbance is to attract public attention to his case, but he is certainly not earning the sympathy of Lyttelton people by his bad behaviour.

Since his two attempts to set fire to the hospital building, Terry has been confined in the “ solitary cell ” division of the gaol. By some mysterious means he recently set fire to the mattress in his cell. The warder in charge saw smoke issuing from the cell, but found that Terry had plugged the keyhole of the door. Alter some trouble he effected an entrance. The cell was full of smoke, and Terry was lying on the floor, but whether he was overcome by the fumes or was only shamming, the warder did not stop to find out. A bucket of cold water dashed over him quickly revived him. It is Terry’s boast that he is a gentleman, but his disgraceful behaviour, according to Mr Cleary, entirely disproves that idea. He addresses disgusting and grossly insulting expressions to the warders, who are “heartily sick ” of him. '* I was never so sick of a man in my life,” said Mr Cleary, who has done everything possible for Terry, and has been continually snubbed by him for his trouble, as indeed have all the warders, Mr Cleary stated that the doctor from Sunnyside Mental Hospital makes a special daily visit to the gaol for the purpose of feeding Terry, who for several weeks has steadfastly refused to eat any food. Terry very strenuously resists the process of “tube-feeding,” and four warders have to hold him down during the operation. Terry clenches his jaws firmly and they have literally to be forced open by means of a gag worked with a screw, after the manner of a screwjack. The doctor then inserts the tube, down which eggs, milk, and other food are poured. Christchurch December 19.

Mr G. Laurensou, has had a further letter from the Hon. G. Fowlds with regard to Lionel Terry. The Minister states that the question of how to dispose of the man has been giving some anxiety, but that some more suitable place for him than Lyttelton Gaol will be found within three or four days.