FAILING TO ENROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17064, 24 July 1917, Page 3

FAILING TO ENROL

ONE MONTH'S HARD LABOUR. Thomas Ilonry Smith, who was recoiitK engaged driving a UiUer's y-a.rc m the city, aim uno was arrestvil on Saiuruay Cvulimy was cnurged at tue tjity Police i,ourt yes ttraay uiou tainnjr to curoi uuuer "'JL'nt Military Service Act, 191o," witmn 10 day. .uiKji- ocpuiHOv;r 1, i9io. tiub-mspuctor Matiueson said tho accusec. was '£1 years oi age and eligible lor tIK i' ji'sfc Divis.on. The accused, when asked to plead, said "I enrolled all right." Constable Jieliy stated that he interviewee the accused on the morning ot tne &jti. mst. He could produce no documentary evidence of his enrolment when requested to do so. In reply to a question accused said that the only paper he had lilled in was one wmch was left at his homo by the postman, some 18 months ago. He had never mado any inquiries as to whether he was on the roll, nor had ho called at tho Post Office to see if his name was on the roil. He .stated that on the morning of the 19th inst. ho wrote to the Government Statistician at Wellington about it. Ho admitted that he had received notice of dismissal from his employers two days previously for lading to produce his enrolment papers. Acoused stated that his reason for writing to the Government Statistician was that the police were making it very warm. Constable Beer gave corroborative evidence. v Acoused said he did not wish to give evidence, and had no statement to make. Sub-inspector Mathieson said the accused was a deliberate shirker.

The Magistrate: He seems to have carried it out to the last issue.

Sub-inspector Mathieson: He has openly boasted that he will not enrol for the whole of the police in Dunedin. His boasting reached the ears of the police, hence the present proceedings. His actions and conduct generally had been detrimental .to recruiting.

Ihe Magistrate said the accused had deliberately evaded .his responsibities, and had not given the slightest reason for so doing He was liable for a fine of £50, or six months' imprisonment, and then, he could be taken at once by the commandant to camp. Ho would not impose the maximum sentence, because he • thought that a man like the acoused should be taken into camp at an early period. He would be sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour. Lieutenant M'Crorie said he had been asked to apply for the man as soon as possible. He would like to have him medically examined that day and sent to camp the next day. The Magistrate: He will have to serve his sentence. I consider that in these cases a penalty must bo inflicted.