UNUSUAL CASE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 144, 20 May 1941, Page 6

UNUSUAL CASE

WEARING OF UNIFORM

Two charges of wearing a military uniform without lawful authority were preferred against Murray Bercsford Roberts, formerly a housemaster at the Foil ding Agricultural High School, in the Magistrate’s Court at Keilding to-day, Air 11. M. Watson, S.M., being on the Bench. The first cliarge concerned accused’s action in wearing a Uniterm at Hamilton while atcaclied to the staff of the Te Ante College on January 11, 1941, while tlie second related to a similar offence at Feilding on or about February 13, 1911. Mr A. JM. Ongley appeared for accused, who pleaded guilty to both charges. Sergeant Turner, lor the prosecution. said that accused was a single man, aged 21. Dealing with the police records concerning accused the sergeant said that once when the American Clipper visited New Zealand Roberts represented himself to be a member of the crew. Un another occasion lie led people to believe lie was a member of some secret service and was investigating the movements of a German. In January of this year lie purchased a military uniform and took nis mother to morning tea at Hamilton. Later lie came to Feilding, where he interviewed Mr L. J. Wild, headmaster at the Agricultural High School, regarding a position as housemaster. “The wearing of a military uniform, leading people to believe he was an officer of high rank, is a very serious charge in wartime,” concluded the sergeant. Air Ongley said accused was studying to enter the Air Force. Lie was of a nervous disposition and rather unbalanced as far as his own estimation of his importance was concerned. He had, however, neve sought to impress or impose on the military authorities and had only anticipated securing a commission. It was difficult to know what to do about him, us he was suffering from hallucinations. Until such time as accused was called up for military service lie was teaching at a secondary school in the Hawke's Bay district. He had passed a medical examination for service in the' Air Force. Mis exploits were the result of a weakness and a desire lor “show.” He would shortly be going into camp, and counsel asked that accused’s name be suppressed. The Alagistrate said that the maximum line provided in the Act was £5, which in wartime was not adequate or commensurate with the seriousness ol such an offence. “It is a practice 1 find myself unable to regard lightly,” continued His Worship. is old enough to know better than wear a uniform without permission. If ho has a kink or a weakness the sooner lie gets over it the better.” A lino of £5 on each charge was imposed and the application lor the suppression of the name was refused.