TROUBLE AT ROTO ROA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 20 April 1922, Page 7

TROUBLE AT ROTO ROA.

PATIENT REFUSES WGXtK.

CONVICTED AND WARNED.

Insubordination in the Roto Roa Inebriates' institution on April 6 resulted in the appearance of John George Henry Blanc, aged 47, before Mr o. W. Foynton, S.M., in %he Police Court on Saturday. The superintendent of the home, Major McCauley, said that Blanc, who was committed for two years, had been agitating: for his release, although he had served only five months. His wife had written to the Minister, asking that defendant be released, but that could not be considered until he had completed one year. On Thursday iJlahe went to the office, handed in paint pots and brushes, and refused to complete his sentence. He was partially crippled, so that he was asked to do only light work on painting, at which he was skilled. Witness warned Blanc against insubordination, but. he replied that he did not care and would come to Auckland and "face the music,"

When defendant exercised his right to question the witness, ho assumed a manner which prompted the magistrate Ao remark, "By your manner here you do your case harm. You are impudent to the superintendent in court, and I . can just imagine what you would be like on the island."

To the- Magistrate witness explained that Blanc's infirmity had been taken into consideration, and he had done little more than loaf about the beacli for weeks, until another officer said that this idleness was not good for defendant.

BLanc contended that he was quite willing to do light work, but could not stand on a ladder with half a foot.

Major McCauley: He blamed me for to knock off work and hand in their kits and present me with defiant ultimatums my life would not be worth living.

■The magistrate: I should say not. Major McO&uley: He blame dme for preventing his release. The magistrate: It is useless lor anyone applying for release before twelve months when the sentence is two years. It is the best medical opinion that a man cannot recover from dipsomania in a few months. The authorities agree that a man cannot be cured of alcoholism in under twelve months, and that it is useless to expect a cure under that period.

The magistate said defendants's conduct was inexcusable and he was liable to three months' imprisonment. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, being warned that any further insubordination would result in imprisonment for three months.