EASIER TO GET IN THAN OUT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 891, 10 August 1910, Page 6

EASIER TO GET IN THAN OUT.

AN INEBRIATE HOME INCIDENT. (By Telegraph—Special. Correspondent./ : ■'.'. Auckland, August 9. A young man named Donald M'Rae met. with a surprise yesterday, . and realised that it, is one thing .to go into an inebriate home of his own accord and another to get out again. He was . charged that, being an habitual drunkard lawfully committed to the Pakatoa Inebriate Institution, be did escape therefrom on August 3. In outlining the case, Sub-Inspector Hendry said that defendant' appeared voluntarily before the court on his own application, was committed j to Pakatoa Island, and undertook to remain there for such period' as might be specified for his stay there. He paid at the rate of 30s. per week. On the morning of August 3 he went in a fishing boat with some of the other inmates to the fishing grounds near Waiheke. He made an excuse/ in order-to be allowed to go on the; mainland, and then escaped, but was discovered the same evening asleep in a boardinghouse about twelve miles from where he landed.

\ Accused gave evidence, and contended that his committal to the island was bad, in that at the time he signed.the agreement to go there he was not in a fit condition to make any such contract. He was so drunk, fn fact, that he did. not recognise: the magistrate. • On asking, permission to leave the island, *he alleged that the superintendent: said that .if he ■ had known, accused he would not have taken him for 30s a week. Fellows came there to get off a. "bust," and then went back to get on. the drunk again, arid spoil the reputation of the place. . ' The superintendent gave his permission, however, and accused had replied, "Now that I know I can go I don't mind stopping a couple of weeks." He maintained that from that time onwards he was a free man, and had a perfect right to go at any tinie. . Later the superintendent withdrew permission, and threatened to detain him if he tried to leave. He did not recognise the superintendent's right to do anything of the kind, and did his.best to get away from the island. . '. .

Tlio magistrate said that accused's method of leaving the island'.was sufficient indication tha't he knew ho had no right to go away. Accused would be convicted. His' '/Worship would not send him to gaol, but if ho was insubordinate again he would be brought back and sent to Mount Eden.