CURRENT TOPICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 335, 23 June 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

LIONEL TERIIY. Lionel Terry, who murdered an aged Chinese coolie under a lamp-post outside No. 13 Haining-street, Wellington, some years ago, by shooting him witlv a revolver, is a charming fellow. He is a magnificent specimen of vigorous, athletic manhood, standing six feet five inches in height, and as "straight as a rush." Ho is extraordinarily refined, of the kindliest disposition, talented, travelled, and a gentleman. The charm of his personality is felt by all those who luavo met him, for he is a remarkable man. But he is a homicidal maniac. It is proved tliat the taint of lunacy is hereditary. His sister, a patient in a menltal hospital, died at the hands of a man. Terry's crime was premeditated, deliberate and absolutely calm. To him the commission of the crime was a virtue. His mission as far as his bent mind guided him, waa to call the attention of the Empire to "the yellow peril." He had no quarrel witih individual Chinese. He walked from Auckland to Wellington, and, after careful examination of the Chinese quarter in that city, killed a Chinese, in order that the Chinese question might be discussed. In his bent benevolence he chose a man who was poor and aged and crippled, because, lie said, the man had not long to live and was a burden to himself. He retired to his hotel with perfect calmness on the night of the murder; walked to the polico office in the morning, after seeing a journalistic friend, and gave his revolver to the authorities. He did not believe that he had committed a crime, in the sense the public regarded it. He was treated by the authorities with unique consideration. He dominated the courts. Finally, when he wats condemned to an asylum, he protested violently .that he wanted to be hanged. He was willing to lay down his life to call attention to the matter that had upset a mind predisposed to such influence. He escaped from imprisonment on three occasions. Throughout the court proceedings and afterwards, the public, in some mysterious way, admired this talented giant, this poet, writer, soldier, traveller, artist and surveyor. Many in their misguided admiration for the sane side of Lionel Terry held then, and now ,hold, that he should be released. If Lionel Terry is released every person in Seacliff, Porirua and Avondale should be released. The misguided agitators who are advocating the release of a homicidal maniac desire that he shall be sent bacK to England. England is too small for a man with Terry's incurable mania. Terry craves notoriety. It is his one besetting weakness, and if he is released he will be heard of unmistakably. The authorities were right not to hang Terry. He is a maniac, not susceptible of cure. The authorities that permitted his release would commit a crime. Terry is a charming gentleman, a true friend; the beau-ideal of all that is manly, artistic, kind and gjntle—but he is a maniac. Tlie public that allows itself to forget his crime while remembering his fine qualities is wickedly sentimental. We sincerely hope that 'the appeals now being made will not be successful.

SAVING THE INEBRIATE. Victoria is doing admirable work in reclaiming inebriates at an institution situated at Lara, which is nearly forty miles from Melbourne. The Lara Estate of 640 acres was converted into a retreat for inebriates some four years ago. The main institution is a substantial building of two storeys, formerly the homestead of the property, and it is set amid such pleasant surroundings that it appears still to be a model country residence rather than a State reformatory. Since the home was opened on July 1, 1007, it has admitted rather more than 400 patients, the average number in residence being thirty. The majority of the men enter the home of their own free will, but some are patients committed to the institution by the courts. The voluntary inmates have the privilege of leaving the home when they like. As soon as a patient enters the home he is denied alcoholic liquor, and his daily round is regulated with a view to building up his health and enabling him to get a fresh grip on life. Every man is expected to do some work soon after his admission. From the superintendent down to the cook the staff numbers ten, and the authorities rely on the patients for considerable assistance in the upkeep of the estate. For recreation the men play football, cricket, lawn tennis and billiards, and they have a good library and a comfortable smoking-room. The house in wliich they live is commodious and well furnished, and the disciples of the open-air are permitted to sleep in a skeleton structure placed within the shelter of a plantation of pines. They are able to enjoy the pleasures of a comfortable country home in beautiful surroundings. The officers claim that 00 per cent, of the men who have been cared 1 for in the home have recovered, or have improved so materially as to justify their classification among the "recoveries." It is admitted readily that the system of the home is not infallible, but the officers do their best to make the patients well and strong and to encourage and cheer them. When a man leaves the home lie lias lost the cravintr for drink; his future depends on himself.