UNINVITED VISITORS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 6

UNINVITED VISITORS

TO PAKATOA INEBRIATES' ISLAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) MUOKiand, March 22. A flutter of excitement was caused amongst tho women at Pakatoa Island last mglit- when it was discovered, about 10.30, 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. _ The disturbing presence of the male intruders was announced by tapping on the windows of some of the living cottages, and the matron was aroused, and at once communicated by telephone with Adjutant Hays, in charge of the men's adjacent island of Roto Roa. He and his assistants at once manned the launch and came across to Pakatoa, whore they found two young men, Robert Phair (24) and Daniel Heb. j loy (22), who were inmates of Roto Roa Inebrutes' Home, and should have been in bed on tho 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 boat bay to vary the monotony of the daily round. Having started away about 7.30 p.m. they had eventually landed on Pakatoa because it was getting vory dark, and 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 tho windows. Tbe.v 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.