DETENTION CAMP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 28 November 1941, Page 7

DETENTION CAMP

THREE MEN SENTENCED ARMY ORDERS IGNORED LAWYER REBUKED (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. “You are humbugging the court to get to a detention camp quickly,’’ said the magistrate, Mr. McLachlan, to-day, as he waved away from the bench, John Burns Crichton, a solicitor. Crichton pleaded not guilty to refusing to obey a lawful command to submit to medical examination. Similar charges were preferred against Kenneth Edgar Adams, while Clifford Marsh was charged with refusing to draw clothing. All the offences took place at Burnham camp. All the accused were sent to the defaulters’ camp for the duration of the war.

Before the hearing of the charges, Crichton applied for an adjournment to settle his private affairs. He said that on July 7 he was lined £SO and sent to gaol for three months. On completion of the term, lie was taken into military custody and remanded for court-martial. After being under close arrest for 44 days, he was remanded to a civil court.

“The men in Libya would like a few days to attend to their business,” said the magistrate. “There is no provision for bail on this charge, and the question of leave from a detention camp is not in my hands.” Crichton sought permission to approach,the magistrate to show him some, papers, when the magistrate remarked: ’’You are humbugging the court.”

Addressing Marsh, the magistrate said: “It is a pity to see a fine stamp of man like you going to the defaulters’ camp.”