DESERTED UNINTENTIONALLY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1912, Page 3

DESERTED UNINTENTIONALLY.

AUCKLAND, Uth April. Unusual circumstances in connection with a charge of desertion from the steamer Tongariro, which occurred in Wellington about a year ago, were nieutioned in the Police Court to-day. A middle-aged man named Charles Hearn admitted the offence, but eaid that he had deserted without intention.. He had spent &n evening with several friends, and did not recover in time to rejoin his ship before she sailed, at a tune when the sum ot £7 was. owing to him in wages. Since then h« had worked' hard in the connrry and gained several certificates, which he produced. "He has not been a nuisance by any means," said Sub-Inspector Hendry, "and if he had not been straightforward with us h« would not be before the Court now." ' Mr. F. N. Frazer, S.M., «aid that he would certainly not send ths man to gaol, and he was loth to make him pay expenses for a mistake mad* over a yeai ago, and as £7 was still due to him. Thia sum was now held by the Board of Trade, and it would be ridiculous if the board kept it when the steamer's. owners had beeu put to expense in the matter. Heara would have to pay the cost of the issue of the warrant, and an effort would bo made to have this refunded out of his wages, which should go to th« company. Accused would be discharged.