ESCAPED LUNATICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1801, 11 October 1888, Page 4

ESCAPED LUNATICS.

The police at Rangiora on Saturday effected the recapture of a lunatic named Edward Price, alius Pearce, alias Williams, who was in October, 1885, convicted of horse-stealing at the Supreme Court, Wellington, and was transferred to Lyttelton gaol, from whence he was placed in the Sunnyside Asylum. He made good his escape from the last institution about eight days ago. Since his escape Price has run amuck iu the northern district, carrying into effect some of his mad-brained fancies that he was a gentleman in command of a good position and a 1 rge fortune. He seeing from what the police can gather, to have had several dupes for his board, lodging, and entertainment at Eaiapoi and Rangiora ; to have bought a horse on credit, with a suit of harness and buggv, at Sefto»>—then returned to Bangiora, and purchased a farm from a local publican, with whom Price enjoyed sun ry glasses of wine. On being arrested ho gave the name of Williams, and subsequently admitted he was the man wanted, On being conveyed in the tra : n to the asylum on Monday, Price gave the passengers an amusing account of his escape, and his doings while at large. He also indulged in some rather galliag remarks at the expense of the police. Among other escapades of Price, alias Pearse, alias Williams, it is stated that he became engaged to a widow. The wedding was to have taken place on Tuesday, but the accident of the bridegroom’s re-capture of course interposed a fatal barrier. It is stated that Price drove his “ intended ” to a neighboring village, where he selected a plot of five acres, on which be proposed to build a'palatial residence in conformity with his exalted ideas of doing everything in the best style. In addition he had agreed to take a farm at a handsome price. Taken altogether, Price certainly seems to have made the most of his time during his brief period of liberty. A man named Allison, a patient at the Sunnyside Asylum, escaped from the institution about half-past twelve on Tuesday morning. He had on only a shift at the time he made his escape. The police were communicated with, and%ent in search of the fugitive.— Press.