THE JOHNSTON CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 16, 18 January 1913, Page 5

THE JOHNSTON CASE.

FOT~tTEEII DATS AT T.I KKKT -_. QUESTION OF FUTURE ACTION. Henry Johnson, the patient who escaped from the Auckland Mental Hospital, has now been fourteen days at large. There is a popular as-sumption that if a patient makes good his escape, and remains at liberty for a fortnight, he establishes his claim to sanity, and cannot be returned to the mental hospital without a. te-corr-mittal. This notion is quite an erroneous one. and Johnson must remain a fugitive so long as he wishes to retain his liberty. The question is therefore exercising the minds of Johnson's friends, and those who are inclined to believe in his sanity, as to the best mean., oi bringing about the reestablishment of Johnson's position as a sane member of society. The desirability of raisinjr funds for the maintenance of Johnson's wife and 3even small children has been raised, but it i= pointed out that this will not be help-~ ing Johnson any in his effort to gain a discharge from the hospital. A public meeting, to arouse general u_erest in the case, has been suggested, birr this course is hardly necessary. b_ view of the interest that the nerwspape— have aroused m the affair. It is therefore suggested by one who diuring the last few days has seen and conversed with Johnson land is convinced of the man's sanity) that the fugitive should now

give himself up. with. a view to obtaining further independent medical examination, which public and Press are certain to demand. Johnson will in this wa-r be afforded justice, and the question of his -axaty can be definitely settled to the satisfaction of public opinion.