NO PERSONAL SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8178, 20 July 1912, Page 1

NO PERSONAL SERVICE

TERRITORIALS BEFORE COURT SEVERAL CONVICTED AND FINED. Several cases of failing to perform military service were heard at the Court yesterday, when V. Hawthorne, J. Hill, L. Hook, R. Heed, and N. White were charged that during the montlis of May and June they did not render personal service required of them by attending cither the Foxton or Palmerston North camps. Hawthorne and Hill did not apjTear, Hook and Heed pleaded not guilty, and White guilty. , Captain Howies, of the New Zealand staff, who acted as adjutant for the Foxton camp, said.that notices respecting that camp were sent out, but no replies were received, and the notices did not come back through the dead letter office. Upon their nonajipcarance defendants wore notified immediately of the Palmerston North camp. Hook declared that he had not yet registered as a Territorial, having only recently left the sea to work ashore. The “L. Hook” to whom the notice was forwarded must either be a cousin or some other person. A registration paper signed “Leonard Hook” was produced, but defendant denied that the signature was his. The Magistrate (Mr \V. G. Riddell, S.M.) hold that the information against Hook must bo 'dismissed. Reed said he had not taken the oath of allegiance, and had never received a notice to attend camp. For about four montlis he had resided in 195, Tinakori road, having gone there from 159, Taranaki street, where ,ho had lived for eighteen years. One evening lie went to the drill hall to have the oath administered, and no one seemed to know anything about the matter. Thinking that he had been rejected in the eyesight test, he did not go to the barracks again. Captain Powles said the notices were sent to 159, Taranaki street, the only address the authorities hadl His Worship was inclined to think that Reed must bo penalised, because if he had pursued his inquiries further he would have probably been able to render his service and the prosecution would not have-been , necessary. Defendant was order to pay 11s court costs.

In regard to Hawthorne and Hill, the former sent no reason for his nonappearance,' but Hill wrote, stating that ho was unable, to pay the fare to AVellington from where he was staying. ■ Sir Riddell said that apparently Hawthorne was still at Lower Hutt, and it must be taken that he had received notice. He would be fined'4os, with costs 11s, in default seven days. -Hill -was in a somewhat different; position for he did not receive notice 'of the second camp until after it.had been held. However,, he had failed to attend the first camp, of,, which he received notice, and had therefore failed to . render personal service. - • Hill was" penalised in the same manner as Hawthorne. , White’s excuse was that he had to milk thirty-six cows and could not attend camp', though he went to drills. Ho was working for an employer, who could not get anyone to milk the cows. , The Magistrate said that it was not a question of what the employer wanted —he must, make other arrangements. White would be. ordered to pay court costs, 11s.