HERO’S DOWNFALL

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2021, 30 March 1939, Page 5

HERO’S DOWNFALL

WAS WITH SCOTT Arrested in Matamata \ William Isaac Weller, a member or one of Captain R. F. Scott’s Soutl Pole expeditions, who was arrested in Matamata on Thursday last on i charge of obtaining goods and mone; under false pretences, was dealt witl in the Te Aroha Court on Friday. \ Constable Monson stated that de4 fendant had been drinking heavily fori the past week or two. He visited a local businessman and - obtained goods to the value of £5 10s, and borrowed' 10s, after stating that he hadiaj large sum of money due from the British Gaumont Film Company in return for his experiences as a member of Captain Scott’s expedition in 1901-1904. It had' been proved beyond doubt that Weller was with Scott on the expedition, Weller had drifted, steadily downwards until he was now cadging about town and was generally pestering people. His employer gave Weller an excellent character, stating that as a worker he was conscientious to a degree and that when away from drink he conducted himself in an exemplary manner. The employer was quite willing to take Weller back again and would undertake to see that restitution was made. Altogether Weller was the best man he had ever employed. He did not think there was any vice in him. Weller, who said he had only a hazy recollection of what took place, said he suffered from an inordinate craving for drink and would do anything to get it. However, he was prepared to 'take out a prohibition order and to try and curb himself. In view of the circumstances Messrs. R. Sprague and W. T. Dale, J.P.’s, who were on the bench, decided to treat defendant leniently. Ho was fined £5 and was ordered to make restitution and to take out a prohibition order.