A STUBBORN RESERVIST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10112, 20 October 1917, Page 5

A STUBBORN RESERVIST.

"I'LL NEVER GO." At the Magistrate's Court this morning. before .Mr W. G. K. Kenrick, S.M., a young man named Thomas Carr, alias John Rock, was charged with changing his name Without the consent for the Minister for lnteni'd Affairs, and assuming a name other than that by which he was constantly known. Sergt. Henry stated that accused was a reservist and was drawn in the first ballot at Masterton, lie had changed his name and iiad been eluding the police for a long time. He was recently working on a road near 11 unterville. and when he saw a constable approaching ran away, fie was chased, and put up a desperate resistance before being captured. Constable Gray said ho met the accused near Hunterville, and in company with another constable affected his arrest, after accused had made a desperate resistance. When caught accused said. "I will not go to the front." lie also said that if he was compelled to go he would either commit suicide or take the life of somebody else. The Magistrate: What are you frightened of ? Accused : 1 don't want to fight. I don't see why I should fight people who have done me no harm.

The Magistrate-: You are letting the other man light for you. It is either sel-lishne-s or cowardice. If you are sensible you will go. Accused: I'll never go there. I'm not afraid of Ihe Germans. My mother and father couldn't live in the country where they wire born, through the British. Mr Kenrick: You'll change your tune when you go into camp. Aceiised : I'll never change my tune.

Sergt. Henry asked for a, substantial penalty, as the case was a. serious one. Accused was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment in Ihe Wellington gaol, thereafter to be handed over to the military authorities when required