ROMEO ON A RAH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16738, 20 May 1922, Page 17

ROMEO ON A RAH.

A ROMANCE OF ROTOROA. The love affair of an inebriate who pursued his romance by means of a raft was unfolded at the Auckland Police Court on - Thursday, when William Charles Gunderson, a young man, pleaded not guilty to charges of having been insubordinate whilst an inmate of Rotoroa, having landed at Pakatoa Island without lawful excuse, and with ■having attempted to communicate with an inmate of the said island without lawful excuse. It was stated by Major McOonley, of the Salvation Army, superintendent of Rotoroa, that Gunderson was suspected of visiting the island where the women inebriates were under treatment, and a letter from 'him to one of the inmates, a young woman, was intercepted. Then a watch was set. To the Magistrate, the officer explained that the island authorities had the right to censor the letters of inmates. Mr Poynton, S.M. : Oh, of course. Major McOonley said that he set a watch for Gunderson. Thinking that the accused’s male companion, a hardened criminal, had been leading the young man astray, he dismissed him from the island. Then he tried hard to get the young man to tell him. all about the matter, but he was defiant, and said, “ You can’t prove anything.’* Witness went to Wellington for a few days and on his return found that Gunderson had been across to the women’s island and landed there, first cutting the telephone wire bo that the alarm could not be given to headquarters in Roto to a - “ I might say that none of the women inmates ■on Pakatoa desired his presence,” added the officer. ** The young woman to whom he ■wrote gave him no encouragement, I understand, and resented his letter.” Mr Poynton, S.M. : As far as his wanting to court the young woman is concerned, most of us get that way when we’re young, I suppose. That sort of thing is natural with young men. (daughter). A witness gave evidence as to having seen Gunderson land on Pakatoa Island on a Sunday morning. He came across from Rotoroa on a raft. She called out to him that he had been observed, and then ran to the office to raise the alarm. In answer to the Magistrate, Major McOonley said that Gunderson was only 21 years of age. Mr Poynton : He is very young to be an inmate of an inebriate institute? Major McOonley. Kes, he is. Mr Poynton : There does not seem to be anything offensive in this letter to e ‘ Pena,” as lie calls her. However, his insubordination cannot he tolerated. 'Won’t you have him back on the Island? Major McOonley : He has only about six weeks to go. I would like time to consider that matter. I consider be ought to be punished. He has shown no sign of regret for his action, but, on the other hand, has adopted an impudent, defiant attitude. Wo cannot tolerate men inmates of Rotoroa landing on Pakatoa or communicating with the women inmates there. That island is i e ® |^ preserved for women only. Mr Poynton: I should think so! Gunderson was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, and left the dock with a laugh.