Fined For Taking Photographs At ’Drome

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1940, Page 6

Fined For Taking Photographs At ’Drome

LSpecial to “Northern Advocate "l BLENHEIM, This Day. In the Blenheim Police Court yesterday morning, a workman formerly engaged as a steel worker at the Woodbourne Air Training School, was charged with offences under the photographic regulations of December last. The charge stated that the defendant took photographs at the aerodrome. After a lengthy explanation had been made by the defendant, whose name was suppressed, the penalty was fixed at £2. It was stated, however, that the defendant had no evil intentions. Agreed to Film Confiscation. Confiscation of the film was agreed to by the defendant, who said that in his possession he had a letter from the director of military intelligence. London, thanking him for certain suggestions he bad forwarded. “That will at least prove I am loyal,” he said. The defendant was an Englishman and had been in the,Dominion for 30 years. He was not aware that taking these photographs would be regarded as an offence. He had seen others taking photographs and thought it was permissible. No Notices Posted. He claimed that no notices had been posted up at the aerodrome. This offence had cost him his job, and the publication of his name would ruin his chances of obtaining further employment. In the event of his enlistment for the overseas forces there would be a tendency for other recruits to regard him in a suspicious manner. , %