EXCITING CAPTURE OF A LUNATIC.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 169, 26 October 1881, Page 2

EXCITING CAPTURE OF A LUNATIC.

For some weeks the residents of the town have been surpised to see an elderly Maori, sans boots and sans hat, riding at full speed through the town for a couple of hours each morning, having a stick fashioned into the shape of a sword, with which he slashed and cut at an imaginary foe. As he was m the habit of threatening the little children he saw on the road, Constable Gillespie has had his eye on him for some time, but although he had proved to be somewhat eccentric he had not been guilty of anything which necessitated the intervention of the police. On Friday evening, however, his madness seemed to have assumed a daugerous phase, as during that evening he set fire to and destroyed the whare of Karamena. Not satisfied with that act of destruction he gathered a quantity of dry toi toi and having piled it up against the door of the Native church at Ngawaukaran, he set fire to the heap and it was with the greatest difficulty that the building was saved, not before, however, the destruction of the door. His people then thought it time to take steps for the preservation of their lives and property, and having seized and bound the poor old fellow — whose name is Rota Moeo — word was sent m to Constable Gillespie early on Saturday morning to be m readiness at the station to receive his prisoner. The Constable was at his post, but finding that the train arrived without the expected consignment, he naturady guessed something bad gone wrong, and consequently repaired to the Pah to learn the cause. He then learned that Rota had inaiMgetl to free himself from his bonds, and had secured all the canoes and tak«n himself and them across the river, where he might have b-.en seen parading up and down and flourishing a spade m the most threatening manner. When he recognised the Constable his excitement became of the wildest character, and the prospect of the midman's capture did not seem by any means an easy one. After a while, however, his son managed unnoticed to secure one of the canoes and started for the other side of the river to obtain assistance, but no sooner were his movements observed by the lunatic than he also " paddled his canoe " m pursuit, still brandishing the spade m a most defiant manner. Under the circumstances the Constable thought it wise to seek the shelter of a tree, and from that coign of vantage opened up communications. As, after a little while, Rota did not appear to entertain any hostile intentions, Constable Gillespie emerged from his retreat and having shaken hands, a parley was commenced. He informed the madman that Mr. Ward wanted a korero with him, but for gome time the wily old gentleman was not to be cajoled ; but at last he consented to visit Palmerston, and having mounted his horse, m lieu of spurs he dug his big toe-nail into the animal, and away he dashed through bush and bog, like a second Herne the Hunter, leaving his intending captor and companions hopelessly m the rear, and m momentary danger of having their brains knocked out. He, however, did not make the slightest effort to escape, but made for the lock-up as the crow flies, bis Bucephalus taking fences, logs, and even treei with the greatest unconcern. When his pursuers reached the police station, Rota was patiently awaiting their arrival quite unconscious of the trap, but he soon becamealive to the trick which was played upon him, for as the door of the cell closed, and he found himself inside, he expressed a very audible opinion that the (adjective) Fleecyman had too much (adjective) gammon. The form of hisdelusion is that of religious mania, and his reason for burning the building was that he considered he was the Avenging Angel, who was to kindle the fire which was to consume this earth. He . was, on Monday afternoon, brought before Mr. Ward, and upon the certificates of Doctors Marriner and Johnston sent to the Wellington Luaatic Asylum. Thegreatest difficulty was experienced to get him to leave the cell for conveyance to Wanganui, and he would not budge until at his own request the handcuffs were put on him. At the station there was the usual gathering of Maoris m order to see; him off, but the cheers with which his departure was greeted, although under the melancholy circumstances grating, upon the feelings of the bye-standers, seemed to be m perfect accord with those of the unfortunate man, who yelled his expressions of delight.