DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 23 June 1943, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS

MAILS FROM FIJI LOST.

P.A. WELLINGTON, June 22. The Postmaster-General (Mr. Webb) has announced the loss of four bags of letter mail despatched from Fiji early this month. It would contain correspondence posted by civilians and members of the New Zealand Armed Forces stationed in Fiji. GIRL DONS UNIFORM TO VISIT LOVER. WELLINGTON, June 22, The story of how a young girl donned military uniform to visit her bethrothed lover in camp, who was ordered back to the United States because he was under age, - was related at the Magistrates Court, Wellington, yesterday. Counsel said the girl and a Marine had obtained a special dispensation to be married. The Marine occasionally stayed at the home of the girl’s mother, and on one occasion, had overstayed his leave, and had been taken back to camp hurriedly, leaving his uniform at the house. The girl had been informed by an officer of the Marine Corps that her lover had been ordpred to return to America almost, immediately, as he was under age. Desperately anxious to see him before ho left the Dominion, the girl had, donned his uniform and entered camp, openb- asking for him. She had been arrested and handed over to the civil police. Though the wearing of a military uniform was a serious offence ,the girl’s onlv object in donning it on this occasion was to see her bethrothed before he sailed. Counsel made a plea for leniency, remarking that it would, be a pity if she were made to suffer for this one foolish offence. The Magistrate convicted and discharged the accused, and granted an application that her name should be suppressed.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT CHARGES.

WELLINGTON, June 22. Warning that in future goal sentences, without the option of fines, would bd imposed on men who tried to force servicemen into fights! was given by the Magistrate (Mr. Stout) to-day after two men pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour while drunk. The police said that stirring up trouble by civilians with 1 visiting servicemen and New Zealand servicemen was becoming far too common. patriotic contributions. WELLINGTON, June 22. The Postmaster-General (Mr. Webb) paid a tribute to officers of the Post and Telegraph Department wh,o he said, had set a worthy example of what could be achieved by a system of regular contributions to the patriotic funds. He stated that since the inception of the scheme of voluntary deductions from their fortniizhtlv officer's of the Department had contributed a total of £15,217 to national and provincial patriotic funds,