CHAOS AT ROTO ROA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 18 June 1913, Page 8

CHAOS AT ROTO ROA.

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION. REBELLION OR LARRIICINISM ? (By Telejraph.—Spocial Correspondent.) Auckland, Juno 17. Three men named George lilyth, James Charles Dunlop, and George Pope, arrived in Auckland this afternoon . by launch from Koto Eoa Island, in charge of two constables. The purpose of their being brought to tho mainland is connected with the rebellion against discipline reported to havo broken out among the inmates of tho island Inst week, nnd these three men tiro being brought before a magistrate nnd charged that, being inmates of a reformatory institution, within tho meaning of tile lleformatory Institutions Act, they havo defied constituted authority. Tho men themselves are taking steps to bo represented by counsel, and they havo stated their intention to make this a test caso on whether or not they can be compelled to work when on tho island. Information gleaned by a "Star" reporter from a Salvation Army official respecting the trouble on tho island is to the effect that th'o trouble hns been brewing for some time. Work is considered by tho officials to bo tho most important part of tho curativo treatment for tlio inebriate patients committed to the island, nnd this consists in large part of fishing in tho boats, which go out almost daily and supply tho island institution, and some of tno Salvation Army institutions oii the mainland, with fish. There is also wood chopping, garden cultivation, and liouso cleaning (of the bedrooms and apartments used by tho inmates). Seeing that there are at present 65 male inmates, this .last is no inconsiderable duty. l ? or some time, the official said, symptoms of rebellion against discipline had been brewing, fomented particularly by half a dozen individuals. Ono of ,theso was the "star boarder," in that ho was supported on the island by monetary contributions from relatives, and had no work to do, with the result that ho found,fault*with .tho food, the regulations and things generally. On Tuesday last it was found that a ladder had been dragged down to a telephone pole near tho beach, and that someone had mounted by the ladder and cut the telephone wire. This raised fears that the object was to hinder news going out of some escapo that had been attempted, and all the fishing boats of the island were put under guard, but it was discovered that there had been no escape, and tho telephone wire was repaired next day by a man brought from tho mainland. On Thursday night two windows of tho living house were broken, and meantime a number of tho men lad refused tfl do any work. Other mischief was also dono to the sanitary arrangements of the house. A paper stating refusal to work was taken round among the inmates. It was signed by about 40 of the 65 men, but the official interviewed stated that most of the signatures, ho felt sure, had been put there becauso the signatories -wero afraid of what would happen to them from their militant co-inmates if they did not sign. "Tho place is in chaos just now," he said. "The house has not been cleaned for days, and the beds have not been made. The men rush in for their meals yelling like larrikins; the fishing boats have not been out for some time, and it would only havo 'bosn a matter of time when the rations, which consisted very largely of fish, would have run short, so something had to bo done. Though .tho action of the men was only larrikinism, rather than- anything serious, I believe the men' took an oath on Sunday about what would happen if any of them wero arrested, but nothing at all happened this morning when-ttieso three men were taken into custody. Another 'official stated that the position would not improve until the Court decided whether or hot tho inmates could be made to work,.and for (that reason he expected the forthcoming wise to settle the trouble. In the meantime, two constables are still on the island to assist itho. officials thero in case of need. The three men were remanded to appetu on r nday.