Two Lepers Amok on Matai
p. 78 · Read in the full issue
A COMBINATION of insanity and leprosy caused two of the 35 lepers on board the New Zealand Government’s steamer Matai, en route to Fiji via N.Z., to run amok at the end of March.
During the early part of the voyage from the Cook Is., an Aitutaki native, after roaring hideously for three nights, escaped from his cabin and scampered all over the boat, doing minor damage until he was captured. Dr. Ellison, who was in charge of the lepers, gave the unfor tunate native an injection and he quietened down, remaining docile for the rest of the voyage.
A mentally-deranged Rakahanga native was prevented from gravely injuring: three other lepers only by the courage and resource of Dr. Ellison. Stealing a file, the native battered two of the occu pants of his cabin and wounded a third who came to the rescue. Advancing unarmed towards the madman, Dr. Elli son persuaded him to drop the weapon.
As he did so, the brave doctor jumped forward and overpowered him. Two of the attacked lepers received scalp and facial injuries, and the third was badly gashed on the leg.