A DISCHARGED SOLDIER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17078, 29 January 1916, Page 4

A DISCHARGED SOLDIER.

FINED 20s FOR WEARING UNIFORM. James Hooper, residing at tho corner of North Road and Tutton's Road, Papanui, was charged with " being a person not serving his Majesty's military forces, ho did, without the Governor's permission, wear the uniform of those forces, contrary to tho provisions of the Defence Act." Defendant did not appear. Constable Fox said that defendant was wearing the uniform of a sergeant of the N.Z.M.R. He bad told witness that he had authority from Captain Northcote to wear the uniform. He was a Territorial, had been at Trentham and was discharged. Lieutenant 11. G. Livingstone said that Hooper had never been in the Mounted Rifles. *He had been discharged from the forces on September 20 last for being under age. He had caused a great deal of trouble, as he was continually enlisting and having to be fired out. Hooper had been told repeatedly by the sergeant-majors to take off his uniform, which ho had been wearing practically ever since. The Magistrate: Why do these men wear the uniform when they're not entitled to?

Lieutenant Livingstone: I think it's because they get more liberal treatment from the public. Defendant was fined 20s and costs.