MAN WHO MADE GOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 820, 14 November 1929, Page 1

MAN WHO MADE GOOD

NEED NOT RETURN TO ROTO ROA ESCAPED FROM ISLAND Thomas Anderson Francis Hughes, who escaped from Roto Roa Inebriates’ Home seven months ago, has since made good, according to SubInspector McCarthy, at the Police Court this morning. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., decided that there was no need for the man to complete his sentence I on the island, and he was discharged on payment of costs. Hughes, a labourer aged 49, appeared for sentence, having pleaded guilty some days ago to having escaped from Roto Roa. The sub-inspedtor said that Hughes had been committed to Roto Roa from Blenheim, where he had a wife and family. After three months on the island, he had got away to the mainland by taking a boat. He had tramped to Hastings, working on his way and sending money to his wife j and family. He had had nothing to i do with drink during that time and ! the people for whom Hughes had j worked gave him an excellent char- : acter. | Captain Buttimore, Salvation Army | officer in charge of the island, des- ! cribed Hughes as a thoroughly good i fellow. Witness had received three i letters from accused stating that he I would make good the expenses, ; amounting to 30s, in connection with 1 the taking of the boat when he was | a free man. ; The sub-inspector mentioned that ; there were expenses amounting to j £2 10s incurred in bringing back ( the accused to Auckland, j “There is no need for him to go back to the island, as he has appar- | entlv been cured outside,” commented i the magistrate, ordering accused to I come up for sentence when called j upon within 12 months. lie was ordered to pay expenses £4.