ESCAPE FROM ROTOEOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18495, 4 September 1923, Page 5

ESCAPE FROM ROTOEOA.

" WANTED TO EARN MONEY."

KEEP OF WIFE AND FAMILY.

An unusual excuse for escaping from the Rotoroa Inebriates' Home was offered by John George Henry Blane, aged 46, who was charged with the offence in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. J, W. Poynton, S.M. Blane, who has an artificial leg, and walks with crutches," escaped .from the island with another man in an open boat on v February 14. Major D. Macauley, superintendent of the institution, stated that Blane had been an absolute nuisance on the island. He would not work, and was not amenable to discipline. "As he had only one leg he had been allowed to "loaf about the beach " for three months to sea if he would behave when an . appeal was made to his. better nature, but it was of no avail. In spite of his disability he was able to pull an oar in an open boat for 13 miles, and then make his way over rough country to the Main Trunk line. Ho told witness that if he went back to the island he would do the same thing again. ' To Senior-Detective Cummings witness admitted that accused had been decent enough to leave a note in the boat saying it belonged to the Salvation Array authorI ities. ....' ■•■.'. .'.:-■'.' .; . ' . . Blane said he considered the term of two years for which he was sent to the island was too harsh for a married man. He served a full year, but wanted to get away as his wife and family were receiving no compensation end were half starved all the time! He had received a ; summons on the island for about - £80 for rent while he was there. He was a painter and paperhanger, and since escaping from thp island had been earning £5 a week and sending money home till recently when owing to trouble with his foot "lie had been unable to work. After consulting his wife he had given himself up to the police. He had not been drunk since he escaped. Blane denied that he had not worked on the island, and said the major should remember that he had hung about 400 rolls of paper there. • The magistrate said that inmates could i not be allowed to run away, but in the circumstances he adjourned the _ case for 12 months, warning Blane that if he pot drunk he would be dealt with on the present charge. Accused would have to go back to the isl?nd till the expiry of the warrant in October. •