FAILED TO REGISTER

Southland Times, Issue 24755, 28 May 1942, Page 3

FAILED TO REGISTER

DID NOT KNOW HIS AGE It was stated on behalf of a man, who was charged before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., in the Invercargill Magistrate’s Court yesterday with failing to enrol in the First Division of the General Reserve, that he thought he was considerably older than he actually was until he received a copy of his birth certificate. The defendant was Henry James Cox, of Femhills. He was represented by Mr G. J. Reed, who entered a plea of guilty on his behalf.

Senior Sergeant W. T. Kelly said that the defendant was single and aged 45, having been bom on December 10, 1896. When interviewed by the police he said he had been away,in Australia for a number of years and had returned to New Zealand about 18 months previously. He gave no excuse for not registering. Mr Reed said the defendant had been in Australia for about 25 years. He had the impression that he was about 50 years of age and he certainly looked it. When someone told the defendant he ought to be at the war he replied he was not eligible. However, he got into communication with the registrar of births and deaths and received a certificate which showed that he was bom in 1896. A few days later the defendant was interviewed by the police, which seemed to show that someone had “potted” him. The defendant had been in camp for about 18 months during the last '.war, but was ill for a good part of that time.

"I don’t think the defendant has taken all the steps he should have taken to. make sure he was not liable to register,” said the Magistrate in imposing' a fine of £lO with 12/- costs.