SAILOR'S PUNISHMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 7, 10 January 1944, Page 3

SAILOR'S PUNISHMENT

P.A. AUCKLAND, Jan. 9. The findings of the general courtmartial which resulted from the incident in lower Queen Street when an American sailor threatened an Auckland constable with a knife have been j issued by the United States naval authorities. The defendant was Olin Bowles, steward's mate second class, who was charged with striking ' another person in the navy, with conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline, and with resisting arrest. Bowles was found guilty on each charge and was sentenced to be reduced to the rating of steward's mate third class, to be imprisoned for two years, and then to be dishonourably discharged from the service and to suffer all of the other accessories of the sentence. The last section of the sentence involves hard labour, reduction of his pay to the minimum amount required for necessities, and loss for life of his right to hold office. Evidence at the hearing showed that Bowles accosted another American sailor and a girl. An Auckland constable came to the assistance of the second sailor and Bowles drew a knife. He threatened the, constable with it, but the weapon was taken from him by a United States shore patrol. Bowles resisted arrest.