IN KHAKI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 100, 29 April 1940, Page 8

IN KHAKI.

BOGUS OFFICER.

DID NOT RETURN SALUTE. QUEEN STREET DISCOVERT. ~~~~~" . I He wae not a pukka second-lieutenant of the military forces, but a slight, fair and curly-headed farm labourer of 20 who masqueraded as one—until he met a sergeant, with the result that he found hinwelf in the do<-k in the Police Court, facing Mr. J. Morling, S.M., to-day. The maequerader was Godfrey Alfred Albert Halverston. He will now be given the opportunity of becoming a real soldiex and starting at the bottom, minus the one pip and other insignia that marks a second-lieutenant. To a charge of wearing the uniform of the Ist Canterbury Regiment without the (iovornor-fieneral's permission. Halverston pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Joyce said that about 11 o'clock on Friday night. Sergeant Scott, of the National Military Reserve, was in Queen Street when he saw Halverston, who wa* dressed in the uniform of a second lieutenant of the 1-t Canterbury Regiment. Sergeant Scott Minted him, but the "second lieutenant" did not return the compliment. He vra* walking in a slovenly manner with his hands in hi* pocket, so he accosted Halverston and reminded him that he had not returned a salute. Halvcrston said. "Oh. forget that in town!" The sergeant took him before Captain R. S. Judson. V.C.. to whom Halverston admitted that he had no right to wear the uniform. He ;.lso said he iKHight the uniform from a <ity firm of clothiere and the badges, from a ei ore. The senior sergeant said Halverston was on probation. On the last occasion when he came before the Court it was for representing himself to be a member of the Air Force. The magistrate wae informed that on Saturday Halverston enlisted and that it was proposed to place him in camp at Narrow Neck. Mr. Morling: You are now on probation. Have you anything , to say?

Halvereton: I would like to go back to Tuakau to my job. I'm on holiday up here.

'•Sergeant Scott thinks he can make something of you," the magistrate told Halverston. "In view of that, I am going to let you off lightly and fine you £1."

•Serjeant Scott: I think I can make a soldier out of him, sir. Halvercton left the Court with the big, burly sergeant.