TO JOIN ARMY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 247, 19 October 1939, Page 6

TO JOIN ARMY.

DESERTING SEAMEN.

EXCUSE NOT ACCEPTED.

ONE MONTH IN PRISON.

Two seamen, Patrick O'Callaglian (17) and Fred Jones (43), who deserted the British ship Beatus at Auckland oil October 16 with the intention of serving in the New Zealand' military forces, were sent to prison for one month by Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court to-day. Having previously pleaded guilty, the men appeared for sentence this morning.

Jones said it was not entirely his own fault as he had asked the captain of the Beatus if he could leave and join the Army. "The captain told me I could leave if I got another man to take my place," he added. "I did so, but he then refused to pay me off."

A representative of the agents for the ship said it was the first he had heard of any such arrangement. Bot-h men were missing when the Beatus sailed and thev had to be replaced by other men. The ship was delayed until substitutes were found.

Sub-Inspector Pender said O'Callaglian had been medically examined by the police surgeon while on remand. O'Callaghan, who required some further treatment, would not be a suitable recruit for the Army in his present condition.

Desertions from shijxs have been a serious matter for some considerable time now," said the magistrate. "These deseitions from the mercantile marine in time of war are even more serious", and so steps must be taken to punish offenders. Each of these men will be sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour, a special order being that they are to be placed 011 a ship for Great Britain if one is available'durins that period. I am not goiiifj to counten - ance desertions from the mercantile marine just because men v. ish to go to camp. That will not be tolerated."