SENT TO GAOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 9

SENT TO GAOL.

ROTO ROA INMATES.

REFUSAL TO WORK.

TWO DETERMINED MEN.

Two inmates of Roto Roa Inebriates' j' Institution, both of whom had refused to work, despite the helpful advice of ) the superintendent and also that of Mr. 1 F. K. Hunt, were sent to prison for three |1 months by Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court this morning. ■ They were John Joseph McCarthy, • aged lit!, and Cilarles William Russell, aged 42, both of whom were charged with using insubordinate conduct to Major Phillip Norman. Russell was further charged with assaulting another Inmate, by striking him on the face with his clenched fist. McCarthy's case wa-s taken first. He pleaded guilty to the charge. His Third Term. Sub-Inspector Fox said McCarthy had been committed to the island for two years in Wellington on February 12. This was his third time at Roto Roa. He had given no trouble on previous occasions, but shortly after being taken to the island he refused to work, even when his foolishness in persistiiiT was pointed out to him by the superintendent. McCarthy considered his sentence of two years was too long. Major Norman, the superintendent, made further attempts to persuade him to work, an' l again yesterday Mr. F. K. Hunt, wi.'le on an official visit to Roto Roa, had a talk to McCarthy and advised him to go to work, but without result. "McCarthy has not been guilty of any violence or bad language or anything of that sort," said Mr. Fox. Mr. George Skelton, who appeared for McCarthy, said accused was still determined that he would not work. He also says the island won't do him any good, so it seems that the only thing to do is to send him to prison," added counsel. Mr. McKean pointed out to McCarthy that his conduct was foolish, and that if he was sent to prison he would still have to return to Roto Roa and serve the remainder of his term. "I won't work if I am sent back there," said McCarthy. "I'll only be brought back here again." Mr. McKean: You are very foolish, but all I can do is to sentence you to a term of imprisonment. We will see if you change your mind after three months. Are you still determined?" "Yes, I am," replied McCarthy. "Well, there's nothing like being definite about it," said the magistrate, who sentenced McCarthy to three months' imprisonment.

Refused as Protest. Russell pleaded guilty to the charge of insubordination under "strong provocation," but he pleaded not guilty to the charge of assaulting an inmate. It was stated by one of the officers in evidence that while Russell was working with the complainant dipping sheep, he considered that the other man was not doing his fair share of the work. An argument developed, and Russell struck the other inmate. Both men had to be separated. After ttfis incident Russell refused to do any more work. Mr. Hall Skelton, appearing for Russell, said Ruasell had refused to work as a protect, because he considered it was not right tliat he should have to work after his board was deducted from his pension and while his wife and child were practically destitute in Auckland. Major Norman stated that the Salvation Army had nothing to do with the deduction of money from Russell's pension. The Justice Department controlled all financial affairs. Sub-Inspector Fox said Russell was a man who had previously assaulted his wife. He could not be made to realise that the position he was taking up was a foolish one. "This man is in much better health since he has been on the island," said the sub-inspector. "When he was before this Court some little time ago there was a suggestion, because of his state of health, that he should be sent to a hospital, but his counsel realised that it would assist him if he was sent to Roto Roa. Russell was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on the first charge and 14 days on the second the magistrate stating that the terms would not be cumulative.