PROOF POSITIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 140, 13 June 1879, Page 4

PROOF POSITIVE

' The Commissioner in Lunacy, feeling — very naturally — overworked, in tbe last few weeks, hired a youog assistant named Skidden, the other day, and seat him to examine a man who lived by himself out in Hayes Valley, aud who was suspected of haviog a " slate loose," as tbe builders say. As tbe case was considered an uncertain one, Mr S.. was. introduced to the patient as a traveller, and was left with instructions to. watch the man's symptoms, aud report that evening. Three days having elapsed without the deputy reporting, progress, a descent was made on the bouse and tbe door broken in. Tbe investigator was discovered entirely nude, and bound hand and foot to a bed • post, a huge cork was jammed into his moutb, and bis hair was elegantly dressed with molasses and red feathers. His host was similarly attired, and was busily engaged in firing blank cartridges at the captive from the top of a step ladder, and occasionally dropping . remarks to the effect that be was "a ring-tail roarer, and a child of the! deep blue sea," and other information, of that character. Mr Skidders has, filed an affidavit to the effect that the, man ts crazy.