TROUBLESOME TERRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3070, 15 December 1908, Page 5

TROUBLESOME TERRY.

TO BE REMOVED TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14. A3 soon as the alterations to the mental hospital have been completed, Lionel Terry will be removed there.

Lionel Terry is becoming a public nuisance, says the Christchurch "Press." For some weeks past people living in the neighbourhood of Lyttelton Gaol have been disturbed almost every night by a series of wild yell» and screams. The unseemly noise usually commences between 10 o'clock and midnight, and is generally accompanied by a loud hammering noise. On a quiet night the noise can be heard many blocks of streets away. Women and children are frightened by the screaming and yelling, and sick people are continually being disturbed by the disgraceful noise, which the gaol authorities are powerless to stop. The cause of the trouble is Lionel Terry, whose history is 100 well-known to need recounting. He has been confined in Lyttelton Gaol for a considerable time past. Up till a few months ago he lived in specially furnished quarters in the hospital wing, and was accorded many privileges. He was always arrogant in his behaviour towards the warders in charge/ although he did not cause them a great deal of worry. Strangely enough some people evidently regarded Terry as a hero, and were in the habit of sending him gifts of flowers and delicacies from various parts of the Dominion. The man considered himself in much of the same light, and to use a slang expression, "got a swelled head," and became more arrogant and overbearing than ever. A few months ago he made a deliberate attempt to burn down the gaol building by setting fire to a quantity of paper and othe'r inflammable materials under a wooden stairway of the hospital ward. Two warders, one on night duty, and the other on day duty, had an anxious time in keeping watch over Terry, who gave them continual worry, and frequently used insulting expressions towards them. He made another attempt to set fire to the gaol buildings, and after that Mr Cleary, Governor of the gaol, confined him in a cell and took away his privileges. Then Terry commenced t3 sulk, and finally, a few weeks ago, refused to take any food. Since then the medical officers from Sunnyside Mental Hospital have been visiting Terry in the gaol every day, and have had to feed nim by means of a tube. The man is proving a great nuisance to the gaol authorities, who have done all in their power for him, and have been snubbed and insulted by him for their trouble. Mr Cleary has for some time past been in communication with the authorities with a view to having Terry transferred trom the gaol to the mental hospital. His unseemly conduct in screaming and yelling all night is causing annoyance to those in the gaol itself, and is harmful to the discipline of the gaol, besides causing the gaolers much worry and anxiety. Those living in the vicinity of the gaol are complaining strongly of Terry''' noisy behaviour, which .disturbs them almost every night. His refusal to take his food has resulted in his becoming weak in body (though not in lung power), and this, it is urged, is another good reason why he should be removed without further delay to the mental hospital, where he would be u.nder. the direct supervision of the doctors.