MISLEADING EVIDENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17429, 25 September 1918, Page 3

MISLEADING EVIDENCE

SOLDIER PINED £10. (Per United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 24. In the Rangiora Court to-day, before Mr Bailey, S.M., Ernest Frcdk. Ward, who appeared in khaki, was charged with having wilfully attempted to deceive the Military Service Board in the exercise of its jurisdiction by stating that his father was not assisting on his farm, and that his father was keeping an hotel in Dunedin at the time tho accused was giving evidence before the board, the accused well knowing such statements to be false. A plea of guilty was entered. Counsel said the accused, who was 23 years of age, had been of unblemished character up till the time of the offence. The accused and his brother had a farm at Glenmark. The brother was called up with tho Twenty-seventh Reinforcements, and left the accused to look after his interests. In his anxiety to preserve his own and his brother's interests in tho property his judgment failed him in tho commission of the- offence w'ith which lie stood charged. The accused had gone into camp, and had gained his lance-corporal's stripe, and the camp authorities gavo him an excellent record. The accused desired him to express deep contrition for his offence, which he felt would bo a blemish, on his character for life. Ho had suffered punishment already by tho wide publicity given to tho caso by the newspapers. Counsel asked the magistrate to treat tho accused exactly as ho would be treated if ho wore before a judge and seeking probation, which, he had no doubt, would be granted under the circumstances.

After commenting on the seriousness of the offence, the magistrate said the caso was exceptional in that it was the first yet dealt with. Ho was glad to see that the young man had done well whilst on military service, and ho did riot wish to send him to prison. He thought a fine would meet the cose, but lie • wished it known that any offender coming before him on a similar charge would be severely dealt with. The accused was fined £10 and costs