DESERTED TO MARRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22028, 7 February 1935, Page 14

DESERTED TO MARRY

STEWARD ON ROTORUA SEVEN DAYS* IMPRISONMENT

" I was at sea for 10 years and never had a black mark against me, and I have never been in a Police Court before," said Alexander Lancelot Elliott, aged 27, assistant steward, of Australia, who was charged before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., yesterday with deserting from the steamer Rotorua on October 15, 1934. He stated he had left the ship to get married. He and his wife decided that they would both try to get work, "hoping to make a go of things." They were very fond of each other. Accused added it would not be very nice for a newly-married wife to have her husband sent to prison.

" You should have thought of that when you deserted," said the magistrate. " I have no power to fine you and the only alternative is a sentence of imprisonment." Senior-Sergeant Flanagan stated that accused had been in Auckland since leaving the steamer. He had worked for a time as a waiter in a city restaurant. Accused had signed on the vessel in England. In sentencing accused to seven days' imprisonment, the magistrate remarked* ho had no power to make an order for accused to return to his ship, ag no request had been made by the owners and he had no power to impose a fine. If the Customs Department took action, accused might be sent back to England as a prohibited immigrant.