LIONEL TERRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2355, 23 November 1908, Page 7

LIONEL TERRY.

A TROUBLESOME CHARGE

Lionel Terry presents a difficult problem to both the Mental Hospital and the Lyttelton Gaol authorities, says the Christchurch “Press.” It is only a month or two since be attempted to burn down the hospital wing of the Lyttelton Gaol, in which he has been confined for the past ye&r or two. He made another effort to fire the building by boring a hole in the ceiling of the lower story of the building, and attempting to burn the records and papers stored in the upper story, but this scheme was also nipped in the bud. Many of his privileges were then taken away from him, and he was confined in a cell instead-of being allowed to live in the hospital building. Since then he has occasioned the chief gaoler and his assistants considerable anxiety. It has been necessary to have <a warder with Terrv day and night, to keep a strict watch- over him, and prevent him 'from doing further mischief. This has necessitated two warders taking alternate day and night watches. In the dead of night Terry often commences to shout and call out at the top of Jiis voice, and he frequently addresses the warders in insulting terms. During the past few weeks Terry has refused to take his food, and this extraordinary conduct has been a fresh source of anxiety to the gaol authorities. It has been necessary to resort to “tube feeding” to prevent him from starving himself, and this method of feeding him has had to be carried out by the Mental Hospital doctors, Drs Gow and Jeffries, who take it in turn to make daily visits to the gaol 'for the purpose of feeding Terry. It is understood that arrangements are being made to transfer Terry from the gaol and place him under the direct supervision of the Mental Hospital authorities. „ . __ T At a meeting, at Lyttelton Mr Laqfronson referred to the case of Lionel Terry in his remarks oh hospitals and gaols'of the Dominion, and said that he was strongly of opinion that the man should be at once removed from the gaol and taken in charge by the Mental Hospital authorities, who were in the proper position to deal with his case.