A DESERTER FROM THE POLICE FORCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11129, 31 July 1899, Page 3

A DESERTER FROM THE POLICE FORCE

A FINE OF £5 IMPOSED. A very unusual case came before His Worship Mr. H. W. Brabant, S.M., at tho Police Court on Saturday morning, when John Lardner was charged with deserting from the New Zealand Police Force. The accused pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Wilson, for the prosecution, said that the accused had been stationed as constable at Paeroa. On Friday, July 21, he telegraphed to the inspector of police, asking for leave to come lo town for 'a few dnys, as his mother was very ill. Leave was granted, and the accused came to town, but did not report himself to the inspector, as he should have done, and did not go to the place that he had told the authorities he was going to, but instead went away into the country beyond Warkworth. As"soon as it was found where he was, the facts were reported to the Commissioner of Police, who ordered the accused to be brought before the Court. The sub-inspector could not understand why the accused had acted as he had. There was no sickness in the accused's family. The accused said it was his intention to have sent in his resignation before his leave expired, but as he was some distance from town his resignation did not reach Inspector Cullen until his (the accused's) time was up. His Worship said it appeared the accused had deceived his superior officers, and had certainly committed the offence charged against him. His Worship could not understand why accused had done so, but he felt it was a case for a somewhat heavy penalty. Accused was convicted and fined £5.