A LUNATIC WITH A GUN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12646, 6 November 1905, Page 7

A LUNATIC WITH A GUN.

SHOOTS AT A MAORI

EXCITING CAPTURE

I An exciting adventure befell a Maori named Tui and Constable McPhee, of To Awamutu, on Saturday last (says the Auckland "Star") with a lunatic This individual, a swamp-worker named j James Hamil, who has lived by himj self for the past 17 years in the dreariness of the swamps for the most part, was observed as far back as last Wed-iK-sday to be acting in a peculiar fashion that caused suspicion ; but no serious notice was taken of him till Friday, when an acquaintanoe, Mr. P. Coyle, visited him in his hut on the Woodstock Estate, on which he was engaged as a drainer. Instead of receiving his usual welcome Mr. Coyle "was peremptorily ordered to clear out, with a significant wave of the hand indicating a gun in the corner of the room. Next morning he resumed his campaign of hostility by visiting the house of Mr. !; Storeyy jun., near by, : and after failing [to gain admittance t& the house'he hid himself in the'l,chaff-box for 'some time, eventually betaking' himself to the swamp1 with his gun on his should er. There.he espied the native Tui, 1 and without warning opened fir& on, him with the gun.- The first discharge-land-ed on the log alongside of the Maori; who quickly realised the situation, and dodged behind a log. When he looked1 out, again Hamil poured another dos£ of lead into the log. This terrified the Msiori, and he made a frantic escape from the vicinity. Constable McPnee put in; an appearance very shortly afterwards, and he soon found Hamil wandering- around between the logs with his gun ready for visitors. Presently Hamil appeared to observe tho constable and his party, and dropping his gun he made off through the swamp, the constable pursuing. When they got near each other the constable called out to Hamil, who stopped and returned with out-stretched hand and smiling face. They shook hands, and seizing the opportunity Hamil struck the constable in the face, and then grabbed him by iSTe legs. A violent struggle ensued amidst the logs, and it was some time before assistance came, Hamil kicking, biting, and striking a* the policeman yvith maniacal iury. Finally timely assistance relieved the constable from an awkward, not to say dangerous, position, and the madman was tied up. Later on he was removed to To Awamutu, where he raged furiorsly in the cells, butting at the walls with his head at every chance. On Sunday morning, bound safely with ropes, he was removed to Hamilton for treatment. Hamil, who is well known throughout the district, had not previously shown any signs of dementia, and had the reputation of being a hard-working and saving man.