“COWARDLY SHIRKERS”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 6

“COWARDLY SHIRKERS”

ATTEMPTED STOWAWAYS FOUR SENT TO GAOL (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Walter Norman Hogg, aged 32, a carpenter, John Armstrong, 38, a slaughterman, Frank W’alter Pincher, 25, a slaughterman, and George An'drew John Lopas, 24, an electric welder, who were found on an overseas ship on Friday afternoon last, appeared before the magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, at the Police Court to-day charged with entering a ship without a permit. Lopas was further charged with assuming the name of Parker. All pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Joyce, after describing how the men were fourid by the police aboard a ship about to sail for Australia, said all were liable for military service and apparently were trying to avoid their responsibilities. On behalf of Armstrong and Pincher counsel, Mr. Mitchell, said that both were Australians and were prepared to render military service. Having failed to obtain permission to leave the country, they were attempting to return to Australia, where more work was offering than in New Zealand. Describing the men as four cowardly runaways and deliberate shirkers, Mr. Hunt sentenced each to three months imprisonment. Lopas was convicted and discharged for assuming a wrong name.