Unusual Penalty In Ship Desertion Case

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1948, Page 6

Unusual Penalty In Ship Desertion Case

(P.A.) ' WELLINGTON, This Day. An unusual penalty—a fine of £2O with three months in which to pay—was imposed by Mr A. A. McLachlan, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court today on a man convicted of deserting his ship on January 13. Counsel for the accused, Dennis Bert Clement Capping, a clerk, said the accused was not a seaman. He had served in the R.A.F. for over six years and had unsuccessfully tried to immigrate with his wife to« New Zealand. He then decided to come to New Zealand. by himself to make arrangements for his wife. “It would seem a thousand pities,” said counsel, “if the citizenship this young man has sought for a long time were to start with a prison record.” “Other men have acted on impulse,” commented the Magistrate, “but the accused set □ut from England with the set intention of. leaving his ship in New Zealand. The court has to consider the international food situation and the law of contract as well.” Counsel submitted that it was for the court to consider the individual in the case. He added that there was a pool .of men available to take positions as assistant stewards on shins, such as was held by the accused. The Magistrate imposed the penalty a stated.