I.—lb

VI

rendered it advisable in the interests of himself, his family, and the public that he should be placed under restraint where a repetition of the temptation to homicide, to which he had already succumbed, could not be given effect to. Section 16 of the Mental Defectives Act, 1911, places the duty on a constable who has reasonable cause to believe that any person is mentally defective and suicidal or dangerous, and not under proper oversight, care, or control, to forthwith make or cause to be made an application for an order for his reception and detention in a mental hospital. Sergeant Wohlmann made application accordingly, and Drs. Craig and Galligan both certified that Johnston was a mentally defective person within the meaning of the Act and required detention as such. He was therefore committed to the Avondale Mental Hospital on the 14th December, on an order signed by Messrs. W. H. Moore and H. W. Toy, Justices of the Peace, acting at Waihi in place of a Stipendiary Magistrate, pursuant to section 130 of the Mental Defectives Act, 1911. On his admission to the mental hospital the Assistant Medical Officer (Dr. G. W. Will) gave a certificate to the effect that Johnston's mental condition confirmed the statements made in the certificates signed by Drs. Craig and Galligan. On the 4th January, 1913, Johnston escaped from the mental hospital and remained at large until the 13th February, when he gave himself up at Waihi. He was returned to the mental hospital, but was immediately released on probation until the 15th March, on which date he was discharged as recovered. The petitions are returned herewith. I have, &c, J. Cullen, Commissioner of Police. The Chairman, Public Petitions A to L Committee, House of Representatives.