Dismissed the Service.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13602, 23 May 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

Dismissed the Service.

SHIELDING A BROTHER. For " conduct unbecoming an officer and a, gentleman," Acting Sub-Lieutenant Frederick William Sowerby,/ R.N., of H.M.S. Excellent Gunnery School at Portsmouth, was recently by-naval'court l martial dismissed his Majesty's service.

The lieutenant was - first charged with stealing a £5 note from the cabin of a brother officer. The evidence was of a circumstantial nature. ' The note was said to have been, stolen from a drawer belonging to Sub-Lieutenant Robertson; What by the number . was believed - by Paymaster Coles to. be the missing note was then . used . by Lieutenant Sowerby in settlement of his mess account.—

Inquiries f olloAved, and, interrogated by Commander Chatfield, Lieutenant Sowerby made three different and contradictory statements. -.-•■■•

.First he said he-received the note from the paymaster, and . stated, so further alleged, that itcame from a;cheque from his father which he. had cashed. Later he asserted that it was money: borrowed'from a brother officer, whose name he refused to divulge. Prisoner pleaded guilty/to Hhe second charged of making mistatements, but -denied the allegation of 'theft. He was ''not legally, represented,. and declined an offer of assistance.

Among the'Avitnesses was the prisoner's father, Avho denied sending him a cheque as alleged. He-had received applications for money, but only sent'tAvo postal orders for £l'or thereabouts.

In a written defence and. on oafch prisoner denied the theft, and asserted that he receieyd the note from another and'when questioned after paying it away he thought.this officer would confess. Defendant was given a high: character by Rear-Admiral Lowry. The Court found him not guilty of the actual theft, but of xmbeeoming conduct, and he Avas^dismissed.Jhe service.