MADMAN RUNS AMOK.

Otaki Mail, 10 January 1923, Page 4

MADMAN RUN S AMOK.

FURIOUS YIGj.iT ON SHIRS, ‘ I'or IS hours a raving lunatic endowed with terrific strength fought a furious battle against his guardian (a constable), the captain, and then the. crew of the small steamer Merimbula when she was on her journey along cue south coast of New South Wales. Eventually he was overpowered and removed to tue Reception nouse. The story of the affair was toici when the -Merimbula arrived iu Sydney. A few days ago it

was reported to the police at -ttega ifiai a man was behaving in a peculiar manner in the bush. He was arrested by Sergeant Bayne, who decided to send him up to. a menial hospital in Sydney. The job of taking him there was allotted to Constable C. k. Elliott.

I The two cut barked ou the steamer j Merimbula at midday the day before, f ancl almost immediately the prisoner j became violent, ilis escort was not a big man, but his wrestling abilities are ! known throughout the police force. liven so he was no match for the uradI man. When the steamer stopped at Bormagui Constable Brown was summoned to Elliott's assistance. Together they succeeded in putting the ‘muffs’ on the prisoner. The ‘muffs’ are long gauntlet affairs of leather to prevent movement of the Jruuds. At least they should have prevented movement, but the prisoner’s maniacal strength rendered them useless. Two hours after leaving Bormagui he stripped them off and,threw them through the porthole. A fierce struggle followed, and although Constable Elli--1 ott had his hand badly crushed in the ’ door he hung on to his man until as- | sistanee arrived from Captain O’ConI nor and members of the crew, liven ' then it was a difficult job to overpower j the madman. Eventually he was lodgI ed in another cabin near the bridge. | A paroxysm of rage seized him there ■ and he smashed through the stout door as if it. were matchwood. Once more he was overpowered, and then he vented his-spite on his clothes. In a few minutes he had torn them off and ripped them to pieces. When the vessel arriv|ed at .Sydney it was with the utmost difficulty that the man could be clothed in a pair of trousers aud coat. Thus attired, he was taken to the liecoption House.

This is the second time Constable Elliott has put up a splendid showing. It was he who, about IS months ago, chased a stolen motor car and leapt on to it while the cur was going at full speed along Blinders street, Darlinghurst. Ilis injuries in this latest affray necessitated treatment at Sydney Hospital. ■ - • "