TERRITORIALS AT COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 86, 6 December 1912, Page 7

TERRITORIALS AT COURT.

SOME INTERESTING CASES. Another batch of Territorials and Senior Cadets were dealt with at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Mr. Kenrick, S.M., was on the bench, and Captain F. H. Lampen was prosecutiug. PURE NEGLECT. Lester Bernard Mills, who did not appear, was charged with failing to return certain articles of clothing and equipment.

Captain Lampen stated that the Sergeant-Majors had written to the defendant on five different occasions. The lad’s rifle had been found in a railway carriage and returned by another Territorial, who chanced across it. This was £3 13s alone. Defendant had made no effort to return his equipment, though it had all now been recovered. Mr Kenrick: I can’t understand these men. They seem to enjoy the pleasure of giving the other people worry and trouble. Is ho leaving the force ? Captain Lampen: No, merely being transferred. Mr Kenrick: It’s the least a Territorial can do to hand over his things to the authorities when ordered to do so. I will fine him -10 s and 7s costs. SOLE SUPPORT OF HIS MOTHER.

The case against Thomas Casey 'would probably not have been brought into court had the Defence Department been fully conversant with the facts before issuing the summons. The defendant, a fine strapping youth, was premptorily asked by the Magistrate why he did not attend camp, and was met with the answer, “1 have no eAmse.” Captain Dampen stated that the defendant, who was employed in a bush sawmill in the back blocks, was the sole support of his mother. The Magistrate: Why did you not go to the office and tell the officers. They are always willing to do their best for you. I can’t understand you. Have you attended any drills?

The youth explained that to do this he would have to travel 18 miles, and Captain Dampen interposed that the defendant had registered at Midhirst and then had been “discovered” G miles from Whangamomona. • After remarking that it would be a good thing if prosecutions were made against Territorials who failed to notify changes in addrsbs, defendant was mulcted in 10s and 7s costs. FURTHER ENQUIRY. John Kelly, on a similar charge, pleaded that he had not been medically examined, had not taken the oath, and had not attended any parades. He stated that ho had received no notices, although Sergeant Major Dallinger swore that these had been sent to him and had not been returned to the Defence Office. The Magistrate: Are you prepared to go into the box and swear that you never had any of these notices; that your employee never spoke to you about it? Defendant: Yes!

Mr. Kcnrick was not at all satisfied, and said he would like further enquiry to be made. If the employee was prepared to swear that he had given the notices to the boy, then he would like that evidence, and he would deal with the boy. If, however, the boy did not receive the notice, then lie could not punish him. He instructed the police to find out what had become of the notices sent to the defendant through the post. If these had been detained by any person then there was a matter for the postal authorities. OTHER CASES. A youth named Poynter, cf the Sendor Cadets, put forward the excuse that he could not attend parades, as ho was employed at night duty at the Electrical Supply Co.’s works. He had explained this to Captain Lampen, who had told him he would send him notice as to when ho was to parade. That notice had not yet been received by him. He had also seen SergeantMajor Hesp about it, and had been told to do his best. About eight weeks ago he received a notice, and attended one parade, but then ho sprained his ankle. This fact he had not notified to the authorities. Ho was not aware that he could put in his parades in the daytime at Midhirst. Defendant was mulcted in a fine of £l, and 7s costs. Henry H. Kleemann, of Midhirst, made no appearance, and was fined £2, and 7s costs, in default seven days in military .custody.'

Douglas J. Tempero, senior cadet, of Midhirst, who had not attended any parade until summoned, stated that he had not received the notice which Inhad understood would be sent to him. Sergeant-Major Dallingcr put in a good word for defendant, stating that ho had attended well at Eltham. Fined ss, and 7s costs. Thomas Michael Sullivan and Robert Henry Reeve were also fined a similar sum, A TAHORA “ TERRY.” Stanley Taylor was charged with failing to attend camp. Captain Dampen stated that this man was registered in Hurleyville, and transfered to Whangamomona, and was posted from C Company to H Company here. Notices had been sent to him.

The Magistrate remarked that defendant had made a written explanation, and had stated that the cards had been forwarded on to him at Tahora, but he had not received them until May 27th, when it was too late for him to attend. Tt was pointed ont that the excuse was not a good one, since Iho Territorial failed to account for the second camp. Fined 20s and 7s costs, and given 14 days to pay; in default, 7 da vs’ military detention.