Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY] SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1891. CRIMINAL LUNACY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 7426, 30 May 1891, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY] SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1891. CRIMINAL LUNACY.

The case of Johnston, tho Ballarat murderer who killed his wife and children, and tried to kill himself, has created a great sensation in Victoria, and the latter part of the proceedings in connection with his execution have certainly not been of a verycreditable character. Prom the first the man's whole actions and demeanour were those of a lunatic, and he was declared such by a large board of medical men, some thirty we believe, who took great pains to determine his mental state after the tragedy. The Government, for some reason, were dissatisfied with this finding, and sent some more doctors to examine the unfortunate man. The latter board of medical examiners was a select one of three, headed by the Government Coroner for Melbourne, Dr Toul, who held the opinion that Johnston was malingering and not mad. The night before the date fixed for Johnston's execution, some local doctors were admitted into the Ballarat G-aol to examine the unfortunate man as to his sanity, and they declared him insane. A telegram was thereupon despatched to the Governor asking for the prisoner's reprieve, on the ground that he was not legally accountable for his acts. His Excellency replied that he could not interfere with the case, and that the law must take its course. This was in the small hours of the morning, and tho man was to be executed at nine o'clock. The case, in the opinion of those who were so solicitious for Johnston's reprieve, was desperate, and extraordinary efforts must be put forth to cheat the gallows of its prey. They accordingly telegraphed Lord Hopetoun that it was illegal to execute a madman, and that the Government would be held to account if it did so in Johnston's case. His Excellency had to leave his bed and call an urgent and extraordinary meeting of the Executive, and discuss the new phase of the question. The meeting was held, and the result was that an urgent telegram was despatched to Ballarat respiting Johnston for a week for further medical examination. There was barely timo for the telegram to reach the gaol before the hour of execution, but the telegraphists did a " fastest on record," and the Ballarat manager drove up to the prison at a gallop just in time to snatch the prisoner from the gallows which were waiting for him. The unfortunate wretch had all but passed through the agonies of death, and it was no kindness to bring him back to life, only to be made the subject of contending medical men, some of whom declared him sane whilst a far larger number held the contrary opinion. After his respite Johnston was again examined by a Medical Board appointed by the Government, and again declared sane and answerable for his actions. The Government were firm and insisted on the extreme penalty of the law being carried out, notwithstanding the monster petitions and strong protests from a large number of medical men, Just a week after his sensational respite, the unfortunate wretch was for the last time called upon to pay the penalty of his crimes, and launched into eternity. His death did not end the excitement caused by his sensational crime, trial, and punishment. On the contrary, it

only added fuel to the fire, and fierce controversy is now raging as to his sanity or otherwise. As a proof of the former, and that he was always a heartless cruel wretch, it has been stated that at one time he cut a calf's tongue out and left the mutilated animal to die of slow torture, and at another he amused himself by plucking live fowls and. letting them run about divested of their feathers. So far from this cruelty proving his sanity, we should imagine it proved the exact reverse, and that Johnston was for years before he committed the crimes for which he was hanged, more or less non compos mentis, and liable at any moment to be excited into frenzy and homocidal crime. Had his attempt to take his own life been successful, we do not think his insanity would have been questioned, but he was not allowed to die by his own hand. His reßcue from death by the physicians who attended him all through that terrible time of suffering, speaks volumes for their skill, but the Government would not accept their opinions on the question of Johnston's mental health, preferring to take those of the select few who held that he was sane, and therefore a fit subject for the gallows. The whole affair has been a most painful one, and the last stages of it most inhuman and indecent.

Another murderer, "Win. Coulston, who killed a man and his wife at Narbethong in Victoria, and then disappeared for a time, leading to the belief that he had committed suicide, is stated to be insane, and there is likely to be another medical squabble over his mental state, as some doctors hold the opinion that he was insane, whilst others incline to the belief that he was sano enough to know what he was doing when he killed Mr and Mrs Davis, and to be punished for that crime now.

Doctors are very apt at times to declare people sane who are not, simply because they fail at the times they examine their patients to detect any mental aberration. For instance, two medical men were called ia to examine a well-to-do farmer in another part of the colony. Ho chatted away with them as rationally as possible, and never onco gave them the slightest reason to suppose that he was insane. They accordingly refused to sign the certificate, and chaffed tho polico officer in charge for having brought them on a fool's errand. The officer was surprised that his prisoner had been able to deceive the medical mon, but not at all shaken m his belief in the man's insanity. Ho therefore invited the doctors to return to tho cell with him and note the remilt. They did so, and the man chatted away to the officer quito rationally until the latter casually remarked, " when aro you going to marry Queen Victoria ?" In a moment the prisoner was raving, and had to be placed in a strait-waistcoat, to the confusion of tho doctors, who had failed to touch tho key-note of his aberration, and consequently to call forth any signs of his mental delusion — a very common one by the way— that he was going to England to marry Her Majesty. Mental diseases aro the hardest of all to diagnose, but thero aro few medical men who will allow that to prevent them from giving a most emphatic opinion on any case that may come boforo them, with tho natural result that they are as often wrong as right.

In tho Houso of Lords a Bill to enable porsons charged with crimo to give ovidonco, also to enable wives to give evidenco on bohalf of their husbands, has passod its socond reading. Tho Duko of Fife has decided to christon his infant daughter Alexandria. The general opinion in London is that Queensland ought to issue short torm Treasury bills, or renow tho debentures for six months. It is reported that tho Queensland National Bank wis ready to subscribe if the public had offered half. It is reported that the Chartered Company's forces dofoatod tho Portuguese Volunteers on tho River Fombe. An injunction is sought to restrain Mr J. R. Kelly, treasurer of tho Scottish Branch of tho National League, paying ovor to Mr Justin McCarthy the money raisod "for the evicted tenants in Iroland. Mr Parnell intoDds to visit America when the Houso of Commons has been proiogued. He has arranged to marry Mrs O'Siioa in n raoa thor six wooks. Arohbishop Croko, in a speech at Limeriok, said he was greatly afraid the cause of Homo Rule was loßt. The people were utterly unfit to rule if thoy eympa« thised with Parnell.

Huntley John Harry Eliott is gazetted undor-Secretarv of Minos.

On Monday noxfc the Wanganui Harbour Board will hold its usual monthly mooting.

Tho Hon the Promier left by mid-day train to-day for Wellington,

Tho nflo range will bo closed for ball praotico from Ist Juno until furthor notice,

Constable Stewart haa been tranaforred from the West Coaßt to tho Wellington Polico force.

It is stated that the not profits arising from tho exhibition of tho phonogrpah in New Zealand so far amount to £5400.

Tho Waitotara County Council will hold its usual monthly meeting at 11.30 a.m. on Monday, at the offices, Ridgway Street.

Mr James Hopkins Stevens is gazetted as Registrar of Marriages, Birthi, and Deaths and Vacoination Inspector at Feilding.

On their return here about 14th June, the Dodßon-Kennedy Compeny intend staging Miss Ellen Montgomery's spectacular comedy-drama "The Snow Vision," tho management having formed a very high opinion of the merits of this exceedingly well-written local production.

The barquentine St. Kilda, which left Newcastle on 9th May, and which was passed off Woolley Head by the Takapuna on Sunday last, was signalled off tho Heads at 3.45 yesterday, and it is considered probable that sho will be towed over tho bat by the Stormbird this afternoon.

Waverley playgoers may anticipate a thoroughly good performance tins evening, for the Dobson-Kennody Company having concluded a most successful season here last night, journeyed up there by train this afternoon and intend staging at the Tonn Hall that ever-popular Irish Drama " The Shaughraun."

The railway revonue for tho month ending 25th April last was i89,G40 16s lid, of which the North Island yielded £27,254 19s 4d and the South Island £62,385 17s 7d. Tho expenditure for the same period was £50,942 17 6d, of which the Nbtrh Island absorbed £16,369 8s 2d and the South Island £34,573 Os 4d. The revenue for the same month last year was £102,393 12s 5d and the expenditure €53,086 18s Bd. The percentage or expenditure on revenuo on the various sections, aa compared with the same period last year iB as follows: — North Island— Kawakawa, 7102—9 4 4 84, Wanearei, 84-12— 9909; Auckland, 61' OS — 61-50 ; Napior-Taranaki, 61-77-59-33; Wellington, 5338 - 5538. South Island— Hurunui-Bluff, 55-42-48 27 s Groymouth, 07-52— 41-05 ; Westport, 40 54 - GOBs ; Nelson,s9-6 —95 54; Picton.69 23-61-45 ; grand total, 56-83-51-85.

The legal practitioners of Auckland have sent a petition to the Minister of Justice asking that he reconsider the decision to abolish tho office of sheriff as a separate offioe there.

On our fourth page will be found aome vory interesting dotails connected with tho great actress Sara Bernhardt, whoso Australian tour commences at Melbourno this evening.

The amount subscribed and profits of the complimentary race meeting to Mr E. S. Chapman (" Augur," of the Australasian) is £2159 6s sd, which has been handed to him. Mr Fox, of tho Polico Gazette, Now York, offers to organise a regatta in connection with tho Chicago World's Fair, if Australian and English oarsman will compete for the championship purees.

Concerning theroport thatMr'Hutohißon has telegraphed the Premier that he haa severed his connetion with the Government Party, we loam that the Promier has rocoived no communication of any kind from Mr Hutchison.

Hor Majesty's reign has exceeded Queen Elizaboth's by two years. George 111, died at the age of eighty-two, Georgo 11. at sovonty-seven, William IV. reached seventytwo, and Queen Victoria, attained the age of seventy-two last Sunday.

At tho last meeting of the Dunedin Harbour Board on Ihursday, it was decided to adjourn aa a mark of respect to tho late Captain John Veal, one of tho members, who died at Wellington from tho result of

injuries received there. A letter of condolenco is to bo sent to Mrs Veal.

During the period from the 14th to the 27th May of the current year, tho total area of Crown land takon up by selectors under the Wellington Land Board was 4453 acros, tho ups"t price realised being £1324 13s On thoso amounts the total paid was £74 10a 3d, whilst tho survey foes amounted to £83 3s 4d.

A little bird whispers that tho convict Ohemis, who was sentenced to ponal sorvitudo for life for a murder committed at Wellington, and now an iumate of Mount Edon prison, recently attompted suicide. Tho prison authorities are extremely reticont, but it is said Chomis managed to secrete some sharp instrument and opened a vein in his arm, and when discovered had almost bled to death.— Observer. At Dunedin on Wednesday, Dredge 222 picked up a whaleboat, 20ft long, outsido tho Heads. The boat is linod with kauri, painted load colour and green inside, and whito and black oulsido; the Btep of tho mast and part of the thwarts havo been carried away. From tho stern hung a ropo, attached to which was a kedge anchor, heavily weighted with barnacles. No namo \vi\B on the boat, nor was there anything to assist in its identification. Tho English Derby winner, Common, did not start as a two-year-old, and opened his threo yoar-old career by winning the Two Thousand Guineas He has many valuable engagements, including tho Eclipse Stakes, Loicostorahiro Royal Handicap, St. Loger, Electric Stakos, Midland Derby Stakos, Epsom Grand Prize, and Prince of Wales Stakes at >jcot. Common was tamed by J Portor, at Kingsclero, and tho time registered was Jiiuin 66 4-Bths sees. At tho Military Sports on Monday last, at Napier, ono of tho events was the Volunteer Alarm. — Tho renditions in this contost wore that all men laid down, with tunics, caps, arms, and accoutrements five yards in front j mon to run BO yards, fall in and flro a volley, retire 25 yards, front, and firo second volley, retire 26 yards, front, and firo third volley j time to be taken from start to third volley, and points to bo credited for boßt drill, beßt volleyß, and correctness in dress and timo. The compoting teams finished in the following order : - Napier Rifles Ist, 43 points out of possible 50, and tho timo occupied 1 mm SGsec j F. Battery of Artillery 2nd, 85 points, and timo occupiod lmin 27seo ; Napier Cadets 3rd, 23 points, and timo oocupied lmin 40sec; Hastings Rifles 4th, no points allowed, and timo occupied lmin 43 2-6 th sec. At tho Town and Suburban Races, Napier, on Monday, a "dark" horse entered in tho namo of Carmo won two ovents, Tho horse came from somewhere in tho South, tho nominator being a man mimed Forris. After tho socond race was won, and boforo tho totalisator paid out, a protest was entered, on tho ground that Carmo was the horso Problom or Warepa, disqualified for over in Dunodin in 188G Tho stewards impounded the stakos and totalisator money ponding inquiry. Thoy now announce that (he protest is sustained, and disqualify Carmo and Forris. They will take further evidoneo as to tho participation in the swindle by othors. A private teiegram received in Napior statos that the Stewards have ordered tho totalisatoi 1 manager to pay out on Claude, the second horso in tho Welter.

An instance of the almost criminal ignoranco or carlossnesß with which infectious disease is spread was shown on Thursday (says the Ashburtou Mail). A boy selling papers at the railway station was suspected by tho station master to have recently suffored from scarlutiua. Being challenged, tho boy admitted that such was tho caßo, and he was seen to bo in the most infectious stage of tho disorder. Yet he had beon bustling about among passengors and othors, and it will be fortunate, indeed, if infection is not communicated to purchasers of the papers which passod through his hands. Of course the station master promptly ordered him away. Thoso who were responsible for sending the boy on »uch business while in bucli a state deaorve tho severest censure. A little thought would have told them, if they did not already know, that they wero endangering the health and life of overbody with whom the boy came in contact. As will bo noticed in our advertising columns, Mr J. T. Sinclair has started business as a seedsman, nurseryman, and

florist, having takeu those large and con-

venient premises opposite the Loan and Mercantile Co.'s Oflice. Mr Sinclair has beon some six yeare in the employ of Mr James Laird, and previously received a training in a large seed establshrnent in Scotland He is importing tho latest and most improved machinery for cleaning grasß seed, as well as a fine stock of rye grass seed that is to arrive from Home in about a month. The premises have beon nicely fitted up with every convenience, and the shop windows look quite gay with a display of pot plants, seeds, ilowers, and fruit. Mr Sinclair has a largo Btock of garden and flower seeds, pot plants, bulbs, and all kinds of nursery requisites, and has beon appointed agent for Mr Bonefield's Aramoho Nursery Gardens. Wo have no doubt but Mi 1 Sinclair will have a liberal amount of suppoit, and wish him every success in his vonturo. Last evening the Dobson-Konnedy Company closed one of the most successful theatrical seasons inaugurated in Wanganui for some time past, re-producing on the occasion beforo an exceedingly good houso ! " Little Lord Fauntleroy." The drama was received with marked exprsßsions of favor, recalls were numerous, and little Ruby Kennedy was again the recipient of a number of handsome bouquets Play-goers generally were pleased to see Mr Kennedy again after his recent illness, and he gave a finished interpretation of tho role of " Mr Hobbs," the kind-hearted grocer, who is considerably "jiggered" at times at the vagaries iif tho aristocracy, and scruples not to express the undivided opinion that " them lords and earls aro a bad lot." The piece wont with a smoothness highly creditablo to tho management, who are to be complimented on the very complete mannor in which it was staged. It is probable that the Company may play a Bhort seuson here on their return from the North,

Mr John Prouae, the baritone Binger, writing from London on the 3rd April to his parents in Wellington, says that he has decided to return to New Zealand, via Sydney. He acknowledges the receipt of a keg of butter made in his father's dairy in X ew Zealand, and goes on to say :—" The quality is good, and I like it just as well as English, but the people are so used to butter with no salt at all that it tastes very salt to them. I think to place New Zealand butter successfully in the English market there will have to be some means used for preserving it nearly fresb. With reference to music, I ainjsinging next week for Mr Garry, and the week after at St. James* Hall, Regent street. The weather is still cold for this time o£ year. I don't think the grass has grown one inch since last Septomber being Bix months. There was a little wind last month, and a storm in the begin ning, when snow fell six inches deep. There hns been very little rain for three months — all hard dry cold weathor, which is very healthy,

Members of the Musical and Dramatic Association taking part in "The Mikado" are reminded of the principals' rehearsal which takos place at 7 30 this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall, and at whioh those taking part in the chorus are invited to attend. It will be necessary that all should bring with them the opera parts, as a roading rehearsal will also be held.

The Judgos of the Supremo Court havo issued an order, which appears in last Gazette, that the following shall be a rule and regulation under Tho Law Practitioners' Act, 1882 .-—Persons who have already passod the general knowledge examination proscribed for barristers under the regulations of the 28th December, 1882, shall not, in passing tho examination in law proscribed for candidates for admission as barristers under tho regulations gazettod on the 27th of June, 1839, be required to pass an examination in constitutional history.

Bofovo the Ashburton Magistrate on Thursday, Constable Smart was charged with improper conduct and nogloot of duty during tho races last month. The principal charges were : — Refusal to stop or eject persons betting when requosted by the stewards, refusal to tako into custody a porson using abusive and insulting language to the sccrotary, insolent conduct towards tho stewards, and betting himself, the same being forbidden on the course by advertisement, and placarded. On the constable's application the case was adiourned for a week. Complaint was made by tho Ashburton facing Club to tho sergeant in charge of tho district, and the constable claimed an enquiry before the Residont Magistrate, informations in ternw of tho complaint boing laid by Inspector Pender.

Tho great clearing sale held on Wednesday at tho Orouiv Downs attracted a very large number of people (says the Advocate) buyers coming from Hawke's Bay and from the South Island, Large numbers came by train and tram, and all wore loud in praise of tho hospitable provision mode for them. The sulo was hold by Messrs Stevens and Gorton, in conjunction with Mr Freeman R. Jackson, tho latter gentleman conducting the bidding during the day with his customary ability. Implements, drays, etc., with which the auction commenced, brought satisfactory prices, as did tho puro bred sheop submitted. The bronze turkeys fetched £2 10s per pair. The cattle were all sold under the hammer, with tho exception of the champion bull, which was passod in, not having reached the reserve. A number of puro-bred cows, in calf and with calves at foot, brought prices varying from SA to £10. There was good competition for the horses ; the clydesdale, Oliver Cromwell, was quitted at a satisfactory price, and Toltiguor brought £55. Tho acquittal of Charles Lydden for the alleged poinoning of his brother, Dr Lyddon, at Favorsham, though fairly generally anticipated, was largoly duo to the brilliant dofenco of Mr Henry Fielding Dickens (a son of tho novelist), who managed to tear tho damnatory polico evidenco simply to tatters. Dr Lyddon was a habitual

drunkard, and a morphiomaniac, and continually quarrelling with his younger -brother. Morothan oneo when tho pair wore both drunk tho pago boy had to send for the police in order to prevent them killing each other. Then, whon the doctor was found dead in ood ono fine morning with an empty morphia bottle on the floor beside him, suspicion fell on Charles Lyddon. The fact was, the local constable promptly made up his mind tho young man hod "boon and gone and done it this time," and invented numerous circumstantial trifles to fit in with his theory. Fortunately Mr Dickens was able to show (1) That the deceased took morphine habitually, and on on tho night of his death (being unusually drunk) had imbibed an overdose. (2) That Charles Lyddon's evory interest (financial and otherwise) centored in keeping deceased alivo.