POSED AS MARINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24535, 18 March 1943, Page 2

POSED AS MARINE

YOUTH'S MASQUERADE MONEY TAKEN FROM DOCTOR (0.C.) HASTINGS, Wednesday The story of an impostor masquerading as an American Marine was revealed in the Magistrate's Court at Napier to-day. The "Marine'' was entertained in a doctor's home in Napier and during his stay stole £25 from the son of his host. He also received £3O from his host by falsely stating that he had lost his wallet, containing 180 dollars. All this was revealed when Derek Frank Rollitt. aged 19, soldier and cook at an internment camp, appeared before Mr. J. A. Miller, S.M., on remand on a charge of theft and a further charge of false pretences. Detective Reid, who conducted the prosecution, said accused was engaged on guard duty and in February was given .'36 hours' leave. He stayed in a liotel at Palmerston North, when he obtained possession of an American M arine uniform. Since then he had been masquerading as a Marine in Hastings, Napier and Gisborne. While in Napier .lie associated with members of the American Marine Corps and met Dr. Frank N. Harvey, whom he told he was on sick leave after fighting on Guadalcanal - . Accused further told Dr. Harvey, continued Detective Reid, that he had lost his wallet, containing 180 dollars, this being advertised for by Dr. Harvey, who gave him £3O to help him along. At the invitation of the doctor's son accused stayed at their home, being given the son's bedroom, from which he stole £25. After he had taken the money he. left the district and was arrested at Gisborne. In sentencing accused to 12 months' imprisonment, the magistrate said he had committed a contemptible form of iheft. FIRE UNDER CONTROL THE TAIPUHA DISTRICT SERIOUS LOSS BY SETTLERS (0.C.) PAPAROA, Wednesday The fire at Taiptiha, which commenced last week and caused widespread destruction of fences and standing bush, has now been got under, control, a slight rainfall assisting the settlers in preventing the spread of the flames. In view of the serious loss suffered by the settlers and the area of country burnt out, as well as the damage to the forest reserve, Government assistance m providing grass seed will be urgently needed. OUTBREAKS AT RUSSELL SOLDIERS EXTINGUISH FLAMES (0.C.) RUSSELL, Wednesday Gor.se fires have endangered Russell residences twice this week, but prompt action by military forces has averted danger. One fire spread along the face of a hill toward a residence occupied by an elderly woman, and a row of houses. The flames were quelled by Army personnel with stirrup pumps, buckets and beaters. In -another area a grass fire spread to thick gorse along the entire slope of a bill. Soldiers succeded in extinguishing it after a fight lasting two and a-half hours. HOUSE DESTROYED UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday A six-roomed unoccupied house, owned by the Government, and situated at Rukuhia, was totally destroyed by fire last night. The house was previously owned and occupied by Mr. K. S. Gorrie. GAMES ON SUNDAY PROTEST IN HAMILTON (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday The growing tendency to break down the observance of Sunday in Hamilton was the subject of discussion at a meeting of St. Aidan's Vestry last evening. The subject was introduced by Mr. J. I. Paterson. lie said lie took strong exception to the number of games, swimming carnivals and entertainments now held on Sunday afternoons and referred to tho effect these had on church attendances. The suggestion that essential workers could not hold entertainments on another day was not regarded as sound. Mr. E Trevena supported the protest, and it was resolved to ask the vicar, Canon G. A. Grossman, to bring the matter before the Hamilton Ministers' Association with a view to arranging a petition to the Hamilton Borough°Couneil protesting against the increasing desecration of Sunday observance. NEW JURY LIST FIFTEEN WOMEN APPLY The Auckland jury lists, which are annually compiled by constables throughout the city and suburbs, have been completed and in accordance with notices affixed on the doors of places of worship they are open for three weeks for inspection by the public. Taking advantage of the Women Jurors Act of last year, 15 women have had their names sent forward by the sheriff of the Supreme Court for inclusion in the final list. Objections will be heard and the list finally revised at a meeting of justices of the peace on April 2, and the signed and completed list has to be sent to the sheriff before April 23. The new roll will not come into force until May 14, and the first time it will lie used will he for the July sessions of the Supreme Court. SOLDIERS SENTENCED COURT-MARTIAL DECISIONS (0.C.) WHANG ARET. Wednesday Sentence of 90 days' military detention was imposed on Private William King, a Maori soldier, found not guilty by a Whnngarei district court-martial of desertion, but guilty of being absent without leave from November 6. 1912, until February 5. 194.1. King also admitted charges of wilful defiance of authority by refusal to obey the commands of a superior officer and resisting the escort arresting him. Found guilty of being absent without leave from September 21. 19-12, until February 10, 191.'!, Gunner Noel Eric Johnson was sentenced to 60 days' military detention. Private William Hemphill, charged with desertion by being absent without leave from November 2, 1942, until February 16, 1913. was sentenced to 112 days' military detention. INJURED IN FALL When lie fell from a tree at Devonport yesterday, Barry Grahame Sutton, aged 12, son of Mrs. M. Sutton, of 7 Wicklow Road, Narrow Neck, j suffered concussion and fractured his left wrist. He was taken to the Auckland Hospital. TRUCK AND CAR COLLIDE (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday As a result of a collision which occurred between a truck and the car he was driving at Eureka this morning. Mr. Cedric William Hill, aged 44. farmer. Eureka, received head injuries and was admitted to the Waikato Hospital. Both vehicles were extensively damaged.