COURT-MARTIALLED.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13661, 1 September 1916, Page 4

COURT-MARTIALLED.

OTAGO OFHCKR DISMISSED. (Per Cable—Press Association —Copyriglit.) (Australian mid X.'/. Cable Association). Received August::l, at HWip.m.LONDON, Aujrust :H. '' The Court-Martial dismissed Llcnteiiant T. Vitzpntriek, of I lie Otago Royi jnenl.

AN AUCKLAND CASE. > PRISONER'S EXTRAORDTN.W \ PLEA. (Per Press Association.)' AUOKLAM), August M, A court-martial was held at. Narrow Neck camp this morning to deal with <I-H<M Sapper Michael Leakey, of the New Zealand Engineer Tunnelling Corps, who was charged wilh having deserted from his Majesty's Vows by having absented himself from Avondale camp on December 17th last, ami remaining, away until he was apprehended at Makafalca, Oisborne, on May 231 h.

Lcahov pleaded not guilty, and said that he 'desired to make a statement as to his reason for deserting. Tn his evidence Lea hey slated that he had left the camp because he was suffering from a contagious disease, and did not wish to endanger his companion, In Hip first place lie had not intended to desert, but his.visits to doctors and chemists seemed in be of no avail. He. had hoped to get better and go back to camp, but he did not improve. Tie did not mean to desert.

Captain ,T, V. Pullen, Ihe prosecutor pointed out to Leahey that if Ire persisted in his denial of his intention to desert, it would involve a charge of "desertion when, under orders to proceed on- active service"—a much more serious offence. Colonel C. llarcourt Turner, president of .the Court, explained Hie position lo the prisoner; who thereupon decided to withdraw his statement. Tie expressed his rogrol'that his actions had brought on all'this I rouble, fie had been locked up for eight days in Ciisborno, and after his arrival in Auckland he had been sent to hospital, where he had beer, confined for Hi roc months.

In reply tn qupslions, Lonlioy saiil lie would like to lio allowed to go io the front,

The, public proceedings then lormiii.itoil. Tho (Incision of I lift Court will ho (•omniunieatpd to tho Officer Commanding the District.