MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 236, 19 December 1916, Page 3

MERCER.

(See also Page 1.) A LUNATICS' ESCAPADE. AMONG THE MAOKIS. A stranger to Mercer, who was subsequently recognised as a resident of Kunciman, made things "merry on bunday in a native whare about a mile up the river from the townhip. The individual in question, who is about 22 or 23 years of age, arrived at Mercer on a motor cycle. Commadeering a boat he proceeded up the river, but his cralt capsizing he swam to the western bank of the stream. He then made his way to one of the Maori settlements. There hiß strange manner and vehement religious vapounngs alarmed the natives, who thought it time to act when their strange visitor commenced to destroy the contents of their dwelling. They accordingly overpowered him aud securely bound him up with ropes. Information was thea conveyed to the police, and in the absence from duty of Constable Horan, who is on sick leave, Constable Taylor, from Tuakau, and Constable Miller, from Pukekohe, went through to Mercer by the night main trunk express and proceeded out to the native settlement. The Maoris gladly handed over to the officials their captive, who loudly protested that he was "the Messiah," and waa suffering great indignity by being deprived of bis freedom. Hs was taken yesterday morning to Auckland for committal to a mental asylum.