A MAD ACT.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12807, 31 May 1910, Page 4

A MAD ACT.

[United Press Association.]

Auckland, May 30. A printer named Edwin Wright attempted to drown himself iv the Jiartauroff Orakei Creek yesterday morning. As Mr Robert Montis and a party of young men were going in a motor launch past Orakei Creek at 10.30 their attention was attracted by a man, fully dressed, walking out from the shore. This struck them as being somewhat strange, and they kept close watch on tho man who, went on, walking into deeper water. When he had waded a certain distance out he startled the: party of onlookers by diving under water. The launch was at once directed to the spot, and Mr Monds and his friends succeeded In pulling the man on board. In accomr plishing this task, however, they had considerable • difficulty, as apparently the man did not want to bci rescued, and resisted violently- When safely on board the launch tho rescued individual gave his name as Edwin Wright, and said that he dwelt at 45 Federal street. He demanded of the party, "Why did you not let mo drown?" Then, without warning, he attempted to divo overboard. . This he was prevented from doing, and Mr Monds, being of opinion that Wright's mental balance was unhinged, bound him down with ropes aud brought him back to town. On arrival at Auckland Mr Mon<ts 'handed arer his charge-^ to Bergc-ink Ramsay, who searched him._ In one ot "Wright's pockets a police officer found a note worded as follows — "Hounded down by the police and public, I confess. My life policy is at the New Zealand Government Insurance Office. (Signed)— Edwin Wright.' Sergeant Ramsay arrested Wright on a charge of attempting to commit suicide, and removed him to the hospital for treatment.