Lyons couple to leave today

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 4

Lyons couple to leave today

The American couple, William and Nancy Lyons, who since 1982 have sought to remain in New Zealand will leave by air for the United States this morning. This information was given by William Lyons to Judge Fraser in the District Court yesterday. From the dock, Lyons, aged 29, a sales manager, said that he and his wife, Nancy, aged 39, a nurse, had air tickets for their departure today. Initially bail of $l2OO was set by Judge Fraser yesterday. This was reduced to $4OO later in the day. Mr D. J. L. Saunders, for the Immigration Division, said the matter of deportation had been somewhat protracted because of the couple’s series of appeals against this. Since 1982 the couple had made more than 17 applica-

tions to remain in New Zealand to the Immigration Division, Members of Parliament, and to the Gov-ernor-General, and through the High Court. The Minister of Immigration (Mr Burke) granted a last temporary permit but ordered that they leave New Zealand by December 31 last year. When called, only Lyons appeared in court yesterday morning. He explained that his wife was at home. “We did not know until 10 minutes ago that we had to be here in court today,” he said. Nancy Lyons arrived at court later in the morning to sign the amended bail bond. Judge Fraser remanded the pair to July 10, pending their departure from New Zealand.