A MOONLIGHT EXCURSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16339, 23 March 1915, Page 7

A MOONLIGHT EXCURSION

EXCITEMENT AT PAKATOA. TWO MEN SENT TO PRISON. iPse United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 22. A flutter of excitement was caused amongst the women at Pakatoa. Island about 10.30 last night when it was discovered that there were two men on the island!, which, as a female inebriates' home, is sacred to women with the exception of such administrative males as visit the place officially and with due ceremony. Tho disturbing presence of the male intruders was announced by a tapping on the windows'-of some of the living cottages. The matron was aroused, and at once communicated by telephone with Adjutant Hays, who is in charge of the men's adjacent island of Roto Roa. He and his assistants at once manned a launch, and went across to Pakatoa, here they found two young men named Robert Phair (24) and Daniel Hebley (22), who were inmates of the Roto Roa Inebriates' Home, and should haive been in bed on the men's island.

The two young men were brought before Mr E". C. Cutten, S.M., as a sequel to their moonlight excursion, and were charged that they had attempted to escape from Roto Roa Island. Both of them stated that they had no intention, of escaping, but had just intended to go for a cruise round the bay to vary the monotony of the daily round. Having started away about .7-30 p.m., they ha<J eventually landed pn Pakatoa because itf was getting very dark, arid they were doubtful of being able to make their way back to Roto Roa. Hebley admitted that they were on the verandah at the women's quarters, but he did not notice anyone tap at the windows. The defendant knew, he-said, that it was against the regulations to take a boat out. His Worship convicted both men, and sentenced them to a month's hard labour prior ; to being returned to' Roto Roa. Island.