ESCAPE FROM ISLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23413, 1 August 1939, Page 13

ESCAPE FROM ISLAND

ROTOROA INMATES ROWED AWAY IN DINGHY TWO MEN SENT TO PRISON Charged with escaping from the inebriates' home at Rotoroa Island, unlawfully converting to their own use a dingiiy, the property of the Salvation Army, and stealing a quantity of articles valued at about £7, Arthur Francis Munton, labourer, aged 37, and John Brown, labourer, aged 54, appeared before Mr. J. Morling, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday. SubInspector Pender prosecuted and Mr. "Aekins appeared for both accused, who admitted the charges. Accused, who were inmates of Rotoroa Island, escaped on the. night of June 23, said Mr. Pender. They broke into the tool shed and filed a chain holding secure and made their escape. Brown went to Wellington and gave himself up. Munton was arrested lit Greymouth. He had escaped from the island on another occasion and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment.

Mr. Aekins said Munton had had considerable domestic worries and for some years had" not enjoyed good health. He could not settle down on the island and made this bid for freedom. f

For escaping and conversion of the dinghy Munton was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to-be concurrent, while Brown was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. On the theft charge they were convicted and discharged..