A LUNATIC WITH A GUN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 254, 24 October 1905, Page 5

A LUNATIC WITH A GUN.

SHOOTS AT A MAORI: >'

* OAPTTJBE.

An exdting adventure" befell a Maori named Tui and Constable McPhee, of Te: Awamutu, on Saturday-; last "with" - lunatic!" ■ This 4_diyidual, ' a swampworker named James'.Hamil, who has' lived by himself for;the past 17 years in the dreariness of the- swamps for the most part, was observed as far back a& last Wednesday to be acting in a peculiar fashion; that •caused' suspicion, but no'serious notice was taken of him til Friday; 'when ah acquaintance, Mr P Coyle, visited him in his hut on tht Woodstock' Estate, oi; which- he ■Wat 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 v in the corner of the room. Next morning he resumed his eampadgji of hostility by visiting the hduse of Mr Storey, jun., near by; and after failing to gain .admittance to the house he hid himself in the" chaff-box for some. time. eventually betaking Himself to the swamp with his gun on his shoulder. There-he espied the native Tui, and without warning opened fire on him with the "gun. The first" <Ms'c_iarge land ed on .the log alongside of the Maori, who quickly realised the Situation, and dodged behind a log. When he looked out again Hamil poured another dose of lead into the log. This -terrified the Maori, and he !made a frantic escape from the vicinity. "Constable McPhe< put in an appearance very shortly iff terwards, and he soon found Hami! wandering around between the log. with his gun ready for visitors. Pre sently Hamil appeared to observe thconstable and his party, and_ dropping his gun he made off through the swamp the constable pursuing. When the? got near each other the constable callec" out to Hamil, who stopped and return ed with out-stretched band and smilinj face. They shook hands, and seizing the opportunity Hamil struck the eon stable in the face, and then gra-bbec liira by the legs. A violent ..Struggleensued amidst the.' logs, and it was some time before assistance came Ha'jiiil kicking, biting and striking al the policeman with maniacal fury. Fin ally assistance timely relieved the conStable from an awkward, not to say dangerous position, aud the madmar was tied up. Later on he was removec; to Te Awamutu, where he raged furi ously in the cells, butting at the wall? with his head at'every chance. On Sun day morning, bound, safely with ropes be was removed to Hamilton for treat ment. Hamil, who is well known throughout the district, had not pre viously shown. any signs of dementia and had the reputation of being a hardworking and saving" man.