DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1019, 12 November 1917, Page 5

DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL.

ALLEGED OFFENDERS OX TRIAL. A district court-martial was opened this morning in the Manawatu Mounted Orderly Room. Duke street. Major J. T. Bosworth.presided', and with him were Captain C. N. Mitchell and Second-Lieut. J. S. Birkby, waiting members boing Majors Ashworth and Scliofield. Captain McDonnell prosecuted. Robert Horace Phillips was charged with deserting 'His Majesty's New Zealand Forces at Inglewood on 27th June. 1917. and with absenting himself until he was apprehended by the civil police at Ahawc on October 25. Accused pleaded guilty, and in answer to the question "Do you wish to make any statement in mitigation of your sentence?" answered "Only on account of purelv conscientious objections." Frank Vincent Gully was charged that being a member of the N.Z. Expeditionary Forco he failed to parade for medical examination at the Mastcrton Drill Hull on July 12, 1917. Accused pleaded not guilty. Herbert Walter B. Roberts, Captain in the N.Z.G.A., Commander Group 18, Masterton. produced the Ga/.etto showing the calling-up of John Vincent Gully, also the duplicate notice ordering acoused to parade at 12 noon, December 16, 1916, at the Drill Hall, Mastcrton, for the purpose of being medically examined. Accused failed to report and forwarded no reason for'not doing so. Witness had not t»eon accused till ho was handed over to him on the 25th October by the civil police. A copy of Gazette No. 109 was also produced ordering accused to report for medical examination. He failed to do so. A wire was sent asking why accused failed to report and the telegram was returned marked "No address." Accused: The roll was called at the Mastcrton Drill Hall on the 16th December, 1916. I would ask the witness if he re members my name being on that roll and I having answered it '.' Witness : There was no record of accused having answered it. All who reported on that day .were medically examined, the Hoard having worked straight on to 11 i) m so as to examine, all who reported. [Loft sitting).