WILD MAN OF WAIOURU.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3522, 8 July 1920, Page 5

WILD MAN OF WAIOURU.

- BLTSHDWELLER RUN DOWN. FOUR YEARS PRIMITIVE .I.II:‘E. Harry VVillis, an u:lkempE looking man, clothed in rags, with beard and hair that ‘had. the a.ppearu.nce of being neglected for some years, \\'zls brought before Mr J. P. Aldridge, J.P., and M. M. Ca.rpenter, ..T.P., at. the Taihape Court this morning, charged with being an idle and di'sul‘derly person, having no visible means of support.

The accused pleaded not guilty_ Sfirgt. I\la¢.t,!leWs, wfiq prosecuted, Stated that for four or five years the accused hacliaeen roaming wild on the Waiouru hills and over a considerable area of country. He was lirst seen "in one place then in another. He lived on whatever he could get. ‘hold He had done no work for some years. When iu'rest.ed he had a sixponce in his pocket which he found the previou.s' day.

Constable Slxearmau gave evidence that on receipt; of a complaint from the manager of the Oruamatua station he afiested the accused. The manager‘ stated that the accused had been about the place for a number of years; that he was a nuisance.

The agcused said he did nnt desire to ask any questions. .

Sergt. Matthews, in evidence, stated that qomplaints were first made about four years ago. Several attempts had bcjcn made to find accimsed, but he got away before the. police could arrive.

Tc; the Bench: ‘Accused Eéqiii he had no ‘explanation to make. V

; Mr Clarpcnterz Ydu have pl‘euded‘not -guilty, surely you have some explanation.

Accused: “I will keep that to my self.” '

In answer to the Bench '§'ccused said he was 50 years of age; had been in New Zealand' about 12., years;' had been living in the hifls about twelve months.

The Bench sentenced the accused to three months’ imprisonment in {he Wellington gao]. Mr Cottrell, manétger pf Oruumatua aciviéed the police that the n,c(-.used was in his’ neighbourhood ,-and that when opportunity occurred he would have him run down by a horsefnan. Several attempts had been made to catch him, but he could run like .a.'Heer, no one thercabout was fleet. enough to secure him. Later. a message came through Heat: the nmnn had been run down and Constable Shearxmm Went out to Oruamahm to arrest him.