A CHEQUERED LIFE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2089, 23 August 1890, Page 3

A CHEQUERED LIFE.

An interesting case (says the European Mail of July 12th) occurred the other day illustrative of the 'strictness with which our Republican .neighbours in France deem it necessary to enforce their military laws. It appears that in the year 1874 a young Frenchman went from Hamburg as a New Zealand Government free emigrant, and settled in Akaroa, where in due course be married, and has now three children. Having received most urgent entreaties from his mother in France to come home and see her before she died, he ventured back in 1886, and was at once arrested for leaving bis native country before going through his proper period of military service, and, what is more, be was tried and condemned to five years' imprisonment in Algiers, He produced his official letters of naturalisation as a British subject, but these did not avail biro, as he was informed that they were quite invalid, because they were taken out when he was under twenty.one years of age, Surely this' was a very hard case. Well, to continue my story, this unfortunate man bad actually to undergo imprisonment in Algiers, but owing to his good conduct be was released after four years, and presented.with a passport and two hundred francs. He then managed to find his way to London, and applied to the Colonial Office, whence he was sent to the New Zealan I Agency. On being fully satisfied with the truth of bis story, the Agency communicated with Mr Savill, of the Sbaw, Savill and Albion Company, wbq most kindly arranged for the man's passage to New Zealand by employing him as an under steward on board the Doric. It is satisfactory to state that he is a tall, strong, healthy-looking man, and one who is likely to be a gain to the colony. I should add that be was quite overcome witb gratitude at all that bad been done to enable him to rejoin his wife and children.