UNLAWFULLY IN UNIFORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23970, 21 May 1941, Page 8

UNLAWFULLY IN UNIFORM

YOUNG MAN FINED £lO [BY TKLKG It API! —Pit KSS ASSOCIATION] PALMEHSTON NORTH, Tuesday Two charges of unlawfully wearing a military uniform were preferred again Murray Beresford Roberts, aged 21, single, formerly a housemaster at the Pending Agricultural High School, in the Feilding Court. Accused pleaded guilty. The police stated that the records showed that when the American Clipper visited New Zealand on one occasion accused represented himself as a member of the crew. On another occasion ho led people to believe he was a member of some secret service and that he was investigating the movements of a German. In January last he purchased a military uniform and led people to believe he was an officer. Counsel said accused was of a nervous disposition and never sought to impose on the military authorities. Me had only anticipated securing a commission. The magistrate, in fining accused £o on each charge, said this was the maximum provided in the Act. He did not think that in wartime this was adequate or commensurate with the seriousness of the offenoe.