THE WAINUIOMATA LUNACY CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5501, 13 November 1878, Page 2

THE WAINUIOMATA LUNACY CASE.

During the past few days a most painful rumor has been current in the city with re* spect to the alleged confinement for twentyfive years, and continuous ill-treatment, of a female lunatic named Wood, at Waiuuiomata. The facts of the case, as we have been able to gather them from the police, are simply these: —About a fortnight ago it was reported to them that a settler named Wood, .residing in the district before-mentioned, which is about seven miles from the Lower Hutt, and fifteen or sixteen miles from Wellington, had kept in confinement ever since the family he*d arrived in the colony, some twenty-five years ago, a mentally deranged sister; that she was illtreated, half-starved, badly clothed, and immured for long periods together in a small cell which had been specially constructed for the purpose. The constables stationed at the Upper and Lower Hutt were at once communicated with, and in consequence of their report the Colonial Secretary directed Hr. Hansford, Resident Magistrate, to proceed to the place to make inquiries, and to take such step* as seemed to him proper under the circum tances. On Monday Mr. Hansford fulfilled his mission. He found the place clean and tidy, and the woman also well clothed, and sitting outside the house ; but on inquiry was shown the room in which it was alleged she had been confined. This he found to be a small poky place, about Bft. x 6ft, exceedingly close, containing a rough bunk and very poor bedding accommodation, and perfectly dark when the door was closed. The woman herself wa* found to be about 40 years of age, pale, delicate, and to a certain extent emaciated. Her lunacy was not denied for a moment by the other members of the family'. As a result of what he saw and heard, Mr. Hansford directed Wood to bring hU sister into town, and that order was obeyed. Yesterday Mr. Hansford reported to the Colonial Secretary’s' office what he had seen, and in accordance with the fiftieth section of the Lunatics Act of 1868, an order was issued by the Minister acting for the Colonial Secretary, directing her eommital to the Asylum, and in the afternoon she was duly lodged there. . * At the Waiuui we hear there is very strong sympathy for Mr. Wood, and a profound impression that he. has nothing to be ashamed of, butthat on the contrary, for a longserles of years he has acted the brother’s part towards this poor woman with exceeding fidelity, and that in these proceedings he is being treated with great injustice. The statements of neighbors, who should know mo*t about the matter, are to the effect that the Wood family arrived in Wellington about 1853 or 1854, the father having died on the outward passage. On lauding this Mr Wood found himself thrown upon hia own resources, with a mother and six sisters to support, amongst whom was an unfortunate half-witted girl, for she was at that time simply half-witted. He took up laud at the Wainni, where he has remained ever since, but having had cast upon him in the meantime the young family of a brother who emigrated and died almost immediately after his arrival ; i add all these he has supported to the best of hia ability. Of late years this young woman has got much worse, but has never been a violent lunatic in the ordinary sense of the term. She has been simply silly, but every three or four weeks ha* been visited with epileptic fits, when it was deeified desirable to put her in. her room, to prevent her doing mischief. It is averred she has always been treated well, supplied with proper clothing and food, and kindly and affectionately tended; but that when these fits occurred it was impossible to prevent her falling and bruising herself—in fact, that an inquiry will show that Hr. Wood has acted thoroughly well throughout, even though, either from a desire to keep his sister out of the asylum or from motives of economy, being rather poor in circumstances, he has kept her on the premises, and so evaded the law. These counter statements are given for what each of them is worth, but the facts of the case, as verified by testimony on oath, will be before the public shortly, the Government having directed that proceedings shall be taken against Wood for misdemeanor, in having kept confined on his premises a lunatic beyond the space of three mouths, contrary to the provision contained in the Lunatics Act, 1868.