AN ENCOUNTER WITH A LUNATIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5767, 23 September 1879, Page 3

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A LUNATIC.

The Nelson Evening Mail of Wednesday last contains an account of a savage assault by a madman on the previous day. It appears that Mr. Dwyer, who -lives at the foot of the Mangatapu, was preparing to go into Nelson, when a man. walked up to his house and entered into conversation with him. After talking for some little time Dwyer turned to go into the house, and was walking towards it with the stranger by his side, when the latter said, “ What’s that you’ve got on your back ?” Without thinking Dwyer turned his back towards him, when ho received a violent blow on the spine. Turning round he in return let out at his assailant and felled him to the ground, where he sat for a few minutes without saying a word. An introduction between the two parties having been thus effected, the stranger asked first for something to eat. This was supplied, and seemed to invigorate him, tor, immediately getting on his feat, he made a rush at Dwyer, who bolted into the house and attempted to close the door, but his assailant was too quick and too powerful for him, and, bursting the door open, threw him upon his back on the stairs, where he clutched his throat and struck him several heavy blows with his fist. After a time Dwyer succeeded in struggling to his feet, when the two went out, and again the madman rushed at him and threw him on the ground, seized him by the throat with one hand and repeated the hammering operation with the other. Dwyer contrived to strike him a blow which staggered him, and again succeeded in shaking himself free ; and, finding that his strength was failing him, he thought the best thing he could do was to seek safety in flight. He therefore ran off, hut tile stranger did not pursue him, and he reached Mr. Smith’s house, about three miles nearer town, in safety. Constable Levy was at once sent off, and on reaching Dwyer’s house ho saw the madman outside, who pointed a gun which he had in his baud at him, but the constable went on up to tho man, who at once gave himself up. On entering the house it was found that he had been making use of his time daring Dwyer’s absence, having smashed every window in the house—not only the glass but the sashes—and further, having collected every article of furniture that he could lay his hand on, and solemnly burnt the whole lot. He was brought into town aud sent up to gaol. About midnight ho was taken with another fit of madness, and made the most frightful noises, both by crying out and in bis endeavors to break out of the cell. This lasted until morning, when he gradually became quiet again. There appears to be little doubt that he is a raying madman.