ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE A MILITARY BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14875, 25 September 1918, Page 3

ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE A MILITARY BOARD.

[United Phess Association.]

Christchurcii, September 24. At thy Rangiora Magistrate's Court to-day, "before Mr Bailey, S.M., Ernesi Frederick Ward, who appeared in 'khaki, was charged that he did wilfully attempt to deceive a Military Service Board in the exercise of its jurisdiction hy stating that his father was not assisting on his farm, and that his father was keeping a hotel in Dunedin at the time accused was giving evidence before the board, tho accused, well knowing such statements to be false: • ■ ' A plea of guilty.was entered. Counsel said that the accused, who was 23 years of age, had up to the time of this offence, 'been of unblemished character. The accused and his brother had a farm at Glenmark. The brother was called lip 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 interest in the property his judgment failed him in-the commission of'the offence with which he stood charged. The-accused had gone into camp, and .had gained his laiice^corpoval's srripp, and the camp authorities gave him an excellent record. He desired to express deep contrition for his offence. The Magistrate, after commenting on the'seriousness of the offence, said; ho was glad to see that the young man had done well whilst on military seiyice. He did not wish to send him to prison. Ho thought a fine would meet tho case, but wished it known that any offender comings before him on a ■ similar charge would be severely dealt with. The accused was fingd £10, and costs.