MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25380, 31 December 1947, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

TUESDAY (Before Messrs C. Cooper, J.P., and J. W. Huggins, J.P.) CHARGE OF DESERTION Assud Ullah, dged 23, a ship’s fireman, was charged with deserting from the Hartlepool at Lyttelton on December 23. Ullah was charged also with entering New Zealand without a permit. On the first charge Ullah was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. Sub-Inspector J. Crowley prosecuted. Cn the second charge. which was brought by the Collector of Customs, Ullah was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, at the pleasure of the Minister of Customs, a condition being that he be placed on the first available ship sailing for England. Mr W. W. Pitcaithly, for the agents for the Harrison Shipping Company, London, owners of the Hartlepool, said he thought it was more a case of being absent without leave than of desertion. Ullah had left all his gear and money on the ship. The Hartlepool had left New Zealand, but there was a chance of getting Ullah away on the Waipawa within a few days. Mr J. M. Steinmetz, Collector of Customs. said that as Ullah was not on the ship when she sailed, he was a prohibited immigrant. He asked for a deportation order and that Ullah be held in custody until he could be put on a ship. Ullah said he missed his boat and had no money or clothes. If he could get a job on the next boat he would go right away.