"A TERROR TO THE POLICE."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11321, 6 July 1908, Page 6

"A TERROR TO THE POLICE."

The Auckland Herald states : that inquiries made confirmed the . foregoing story. It appears that McCarthy, whose Christian name is John, ig 29 years of age, and lived for some considerable time in Napier and Gisborne, where he -.earned the reputation of being "a bit of a terror" to the police. He seems to have then entered into business in the 'piano line in the Waikato, v and^as' the result of his "methods" was apprehended on a charge whi'ch landed him in the Supreme Court. -He was not represented by counsel) but nevertheless -made up for .this deficiency by delivering aii impassioned address of two hours' duration to the jury, and succeeded in getting a verdict of "not guilty." . After that he was con- j victcd on several occasion* for assaulting i the police, and was finally arrested on a charge of housebreaking. He , repeated his previous tactics in addressing the jury, but did not find them so favorably disposed towards '.him, and he was sentenced to a lengthy term. It is alleged that while McCarthy was serving this sentence be conceived tlie Mea that if he was incapacitated while in custody the Government would be obliged to keep him for the remainder of his life.. At any rate, one morning he complained of the loss of his sight in one eye. and when this was examined it was found that it had been pricked with a needle or some such instrument. The injury affected the other eye, and it was found necessary to remove, both of them. It is also alleged that when he came out of prison he pestered his- wife, and lived for a considerable period on what she gave him and on charity. As a result of his attentions his wife was compelled to give up her v.the_ place of employment, and seek a livelihood for herself and child elsewhere. McCarthy left for the South about six months ago, and so far as is known has done nothing since he came out of gaol to earn a living.