ASSISTING A DESERTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 6

ASSISTING A DESERTER.

AN EMPLOYER SENTENCED. i« :xio:nths" imprisonment. <Bx Telegraph.—Press .Association.) WANUANTI. Friday. After a two days* trial at the Supreme Court Douglas Campbell YValdie, a settler in tie Waitotara district, was found guilty to-day on a charge of assisting Michael Kilieloa to evade military service. The jury added a recommendation to mercy, in view of accused's previous good character. Sillalea was the principal witness for t'rre Crown. He gave Yiis evidence -with difficulty. He said he came to Nerv Zealanfl tnrec. and a-half years ago -from Ireland. He was cutting a track on IV&ldic/s farm, and after lit: was drawn in the ballot accused induced him to tnake a dugout in a cliff, where Tie lived for six months. Witness said he worked in the daytime, but slept in the dugout, and took refuge there when people were about. He snid lie was torn , that Che Government was shooting desrrters or throwing them overboard from transports, and was afraid to give himself, up. Eventually Waldii leased the farm, and on witness moving to another pait of the district he was arrested, lie ■was then in an emaciated state owing to exposure. The defence was that the accused neither cmployrd nor TTreouragcd Killa'.ea. Mrs. Waldic (wife of the accused) said she lived in a state of terror, knowing that Killalea was «J»out. but she gave him food, ns she was afraid of some revengeful net. She and her husband feared to inform the police, because of the possible consequences, ns Killalea. she said, maSi? threats to kill her husband. Finally they decided the only course was for Jrerself and lie.r Infsb'aml to at once, leave the district. WANGAXLI, this <lay. In the Supreme Court to-day Douglas Campbell Waldie, found guilty of giving assistance to ?. reservist named Killalea, to enable him to escape military service, was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. Mr. Justice Uosking said he agreed -with the jury's verdict of guilty. It was a grave matter in thrsc times, but he could not inflict the full penalty of three years, in view of the jury's recommendation and accused's previous good ciiaracter.