MILITARY DEFAULTER SENTENCED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1017, 9 November 1917, Page 5

MILITARY DEFAULTER SENTENCED.

PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT. A military defaulter named Franz John Eugene Baucke was brought before Mr W. (i. K. Kunrick, S.M., at tho Magisiroto’s Court this morning on three charges of theft. The charges were that on October 22 accused did steal a camp oven, coat, hat and towel, valued at £1 10s; on October 31 an oil coat, valued at £1; and on November 2 a razor, pocket knife, and shaving brush, valued at 19s 6d, the. various articles being tho property of three different settlers at Aokautere. Accused pleaded guilty to all charges. Sergt. Henry prosecuted, and said 'that accused had been called up in the ballot and had taken to the bush in August last to evade military duty, and whilst he had been in the bush had ktolen the articles mentioned. Accused was born at Chatham islands, and his father was a German.

The Magistrate: What is your t-roubh that, you took to the bush? Is i‘t on ac count, of your German tendencies? Accused: No; it was physical weakness The Magistrate: Have you any tics will the Germans? Accused: Certainly not. The Magistrate: Well, why not go It camp and do your best ? Accused : I should have done so, 1 suppose. Accused added that he was prepared to go to camp and do his best. He had been medically examined and passed as lit. His Worship said ho would impose a sentence of 14 days’ on the first- two charges, and accused would bo convicted and discharged on the other. At the conclusion of his sentence, accused is to be handed over to the military authorities.