“COLD FEET”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10062, 29 August 1918, Page 7

“COLD FEET”

‘ STOWAWAYS BROUGHT BACK. ' ; EVADING THEIR MILITARY ..OBLIGATIONS. Six .. young men, named respectively ..tereminli Courtenay, 2i years of age, Bernard Bradley 27, Michael O’Connor 35, Thomas Peter Prendergast 26, William Albert ■Collins 30. and Patrick Toohev-26, appeared in-the dock at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning in answer to charges of leaving New Zealand without first obtaining a permit, and with stowing away on the steamship Manuka. ■’ • ■The defendants; from their appearance, evidently had stowed themselves away on thc. ship in a confined space. All of them were minus their coats, .two -were .clothed in trousers and singlets.- and two others had. addition to -their apparel in the shape of a shirt. The accused, who were fine specimens of young' manhood, pleaded' guilty to -the .charges,,.. . .. • . Inspector Ma.rsa.cfc, who prosecuted, said that from, information received, word was sent to Sydney, and when the Manuka arrived there the vessel was held up for three or four hours while the "police instituted a search. The defendants, who were wanted by tbe military authorities, were discovered. The ’ Union Company are desirous that an order should bo made for the payment of the men’s passages, as some of the defendants had considerable sums of money in. their possession when arrested. The fare to Sydney and back was ’ £9.-" ~ " ' The magistrate:' "Is there any reason why the defendants went away from New Zealand ?" Inspector Marsack: "Yes, cold feet.” The magistrate (to the accused): “Bo ‘■you- desire to ’ give thfc court any explanation why you went away?’’—"No, sir." - The magistrate: "You know, what the inspector has sjiid. You are practically accused of being shirkers. Are you sure you do not desire to explain your conduct?” ■ Each of the accused said he had nothing to say, and Inspector Marsack said that there were two military warrants out for, the arrest, of. two .of the accuscd. The magistrate: ”1 am sorry about you. You are a stnrdy-looking ’bunch' and I expected .something better of you. 1 ' For'leaving the Dominion without a permit -each -accused was convicted and sentenced to throe months’ imprisonment, and on the second charge they were ordered to pay 4)9 each passage money, in default to go to prison for a month. Michael O’Connor, who was charged with, failing .to enrol in the Reserve, was convicted and discharged.