AN EXCITING ENCOUNTER.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1229, 15 May 1880, Page 2

AN EXCITING ENCOUNTER.

A LITTLE before two o'clock yesterday afternoon, the employes of Mr Martin, tailor, Victoiia-street-, were not a'littta alarmed on attempting to go upstairs to th'j work room at seeing- one of the number) a mm named Thoims Flood, standing at the head of the btairs armed with a tomahawk and threatening to strike anybody who came up. Flood had been drinking heavily lately, and Mr Martin, fearing that in his then state the man might inflict serious injury to some one scut a message to Sergeant MeGovern for a policeman. In a short time Constables "Wild and Murray arrived, and the former shielding his head as well as he could with a piece of cocoanut matting and some saok cloth, pruceoded very pluckily up the stairs for the purpose of removing the dangerous weapon from Flood He was closely followed by Mr B. Edwards, who knowing the unfortunato man had gone over to the shop, thinking that his presence might quiet him. VVhen they reached the top of the stiir Flood lifted the tomahawk over his head to aim a blow at the onstabl^'s head ; but before he could effect his object Mr Edwards caught hold of bis arm and pulled him to the floor. The handonfls were then put on, ami the prisoner was quickly taken to the lock-up. He will be brought up at the R. M. Court this morning, and will probably be renvinded until au opportunity sh ill have been afforded for enquiring into his mental condition.