CAN SUCH THINGS BE?

Evening Star, Issue 6760, 27 November 1884, Page 3

CAN SUCH THINGS BE?

Mr Marsh, a former inmate of the Auckland Lunatic Asylum, has Eent a letter to the Mayor of that city, from which the following extract is published:—" The subject has been brought under the notice cf Macfarlane, who has the principal supervision of the Lunatic Asylnm. It would appear, Bir, as if when that gentleman has looked through the dining hall and other apartments of that institution, and examined the shirt buttons and seen that the boots are well polished, that his duty is done. I read some fine speeches when His Excellency the Governor was there a few months since, and it was galling to me, I assure you, sir, to hear the management bo belauded, and indeed everything in general pronounced to be very good. I will not make this very much longer, but I think it proper to mention one or two glaring abuses. Inoffensive men, or what is more dreadful to think of perhaps, men of inte'ligence, are compelled to herd with dangerous lunatics. I was on two occasion/! struck a heavy blow from behind when reading or writing, and en three other occasions had a boot flung at my head without provocation. I have seen a man assaulted by an attendant because of his refusal to dry bis face upon a towel on which was to be Been human filth. I have many times ecen men thrown on their backs on the hard asphalt pavement, and kicked and otherwise abused by several of the attendants, who it is only right to mention are very badly paid for their services—this low pay bringing only men of a very low grade. It is a common thing if the order of a warder is not instantly obeyed, for two of them to get hold of the man, each by an ear, as I have seen two dogs taking a pig, and he is walked off in this fashion. Many other acts of brutality might be written, but these may suffice. The Lunatic Act, Mr Waddel, awards a penalty of LSO for any such wanton brutality, but I aßk you, sir, who shall be expected to give evidence which is considered sufficient to obtain a conviction? A supposed lunatic will not get a hearing. Who else, I should like to be told, sir, would give such evidence but such as had suffered or seen euch acta committed while imprisoned in this accursed place."