REFUSED TO WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 6, 8 January 1934, Page 3

REFUSED TO WORK.

SCUFFLE IN CUBICLE.

TROUBLE AT ROTO ROA.

INMATE SENT TO PRISON. "A breach of discipline in an institution such as Roto Roa, isolated as it is and carrying a limited staff of assistants, is a serious matter. I have not only to consider the individual, but the home itself," said Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, when he sentenced Patrick Jepson, aged 44, to seven days' imprisonment for insubordination. Jepson, for whom Mr. W. Noble appeared, pleaded not guilty to a charge deeming him to be guilty of insubordination. Commandant W. P. Campicii, a Salvation Army officer, said Jepson had been an inmate of the home for some time. It was his duty to feed and look after the pigs. This position carried with it a gratuity, and on leaving Jepson would have received about £7. On January 3. without giving any reason, he said he was not going to work any more, and that witness could get someone else to do the job. He added that he was tired of work. He did not work after that. Mr. Noble: Did you know he was being treated by the major in charge of the dispensary for a poisoned finger? —No, I did not. Well, lie reported the matter to another officer, and was treated by him. He should have reported to rae. I heard afterwards about his finger, but it was nothing serious. Struck on Face. John R. Dickson, superintendent of the home, said Jepson never at any time reported himself as unfit for work. "On the morning of January 4 I went to his room and asked him how he felt," said witness, "but he told me to get out, and then flew at me, struck me on the face and called me a dirty cow. So I had to put him down smartly on his bed." Witness added that the officer in charge of the dispensary, who treated Jepson's finger, had reported that the injury was nothing more than a scratch. Jepson did not complain to witness that he was ill and unable to work. Mr. Noble said he would call Jepson, who would say that he had continued working for a fortnight with a finger which had become poisoned after he had run a fish bone into the joint while handling pig food. Accused's Evidence. In evidence, accused admitted that he did not complain to the superintendent or commandant about his finger. As he had been treated by Major Beasley he thought that was sufficient. He alleged that at 7.45 a.m. on January 4 Superintendent Dickson came to his room and refused to leave when requested. "I asked him to "discuss the matter in his office," said Jepson, "but lie then struck me three times and held me down, another man pulling him off me." The magistrate said he , believed the Salvation Army officers. Jepson never gave any reason for refusing work, and had not reported himself as unfit for duty. "You seem to be a nervous and excitable man, and there is no doubt you were guilty of insubordination," he said. "I have taken all the circumstances into consideration, and your sentence is but a short one."