RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 11, 4 December 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Satubbay, Nqtemmb, 30m> IS?3 [Before his Worship the Mayor, and. the Hon. W. Fox, J.P.] SPSPEOTED LUNACY. Jans Peter Mikkleaen was charged under the Lunacy Statute, with being of unsound mind. Medioal certificates from Drs. Johns^ ton and Macla.chlan were handed m, and the following witnesses were examined ;— Henry West, being duly sworn, deposed : I reside at Bunnythorpe, and am a saw miH contractor. Somo six weeks ago, the accused, Jans Peter Mikkleson, complained of being ill, and asked leave for a day, m order that he might consult a doctor at Palmerston. I gave him permission and he left to do so. O.i the road clown he met the train, and I heard, that he attempted to take his life. After his discharge from the Supreme. Court at Wanganui, I brought him home with me. For four "weeks he appeared rational enough, but on Tuesday fost i notice 4 hiux getting unduly excited, and I sent far Dr. Maclaohlan. The doctor said it was not right to have him m my care, and. Ipromked to see the Resident Magistrate about him. On the following Thursday he got very much worse, and when I gat to bed. he was very uneasy, talking, and singing until the following morning, I called m help to sit up and watch him, and about five o'clock on Friday rooming he appeared much exhausted., hu.t two hours later commenced again to. be noisy, As he was very Jyipltnt, breaking the windows, and stripping' himself; I was compelled to get help to restrain him. Ido not think it wquld be safe that he should bo left by himself. He was always a rery sober man. Antony Nanneatead deposed : ; lam mana- ' ger- of the Trandheiico Saw Mills, at Bunny* thorpe. Since Jans Peter Mickkleaeu, re-. turned from Wanganui, he lias, to the best, of my knowledge,, bq^n. rational, behating quietly until Thursday night last, the 28th inst. I was caUed; up by ■ H.enry West to help him to keep Vatch over Mikklesen. I staid until midnight, and then, went home. About an hour afterwards I was called, : and I staid with the aocused until six o'clock on Friday morning, when I again went home. About eight o'clock I hoard a noise and Vfent over to ascertain the rausu, ; and. discovered; that the accused, was striving to get rid of an empty bo* bjp throwing ■ it through the window, all the white chivying on antios, singing and talking. Yesterday, afternoon (Friday) I advised Mr West to fetch the oo.nstahle. Last qight' some men kept watch lover him as it was feared he might do damage to himself , I > consider he is deranged m his mind, Henry West, being recalled, stated that ; he was present at the Supreme Court, Wanganui, when Miokklonpn was tried for • attempting to commit suicide, and that he i pleaded guUty to the charge, Christian Jenssen deposed that he was '. present when accused, pleaded M guilty "to , a ohtirgo of attempting to comm.it suicide. ; Mikklesen lodged with him for the past eighteen months, and he had never seen anything wrong with him until the- night previous to the attempt on his life. H> do not think it vroujd be safe to letwe him to himself. The Bench hairing heard the evidence made an order for> Mikklesen 's conmitment to the Lunatio Asylum, Wellington.