A DESERTER FROM THE POLICE FORCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6551, 31 July 1899, Page 4

A DESERTER FROM THE POLICE FORCE.

A man named John Lardner appeared before the Police Court at Auckland on Saturday on a charge of unlawfully deserting from the police force. He pleaded guilty. It appears that Lardner was stationed at Paeroa, and.^on Friday last telegraphed to the Inspector^ asking for leave to come to town for a few days, stating that x a near relative was dying. Leave was granted, but Lardner, on arriving in, Auckland, failed to report himself "at the"'head station, as he should have done, and did not go to the place he told the authorities he was going to, but went, instead, some forty miles out of town. As soon.as lie was found, the facts were reported to the Commissioner, iwha ordered him to be brought before the Court. Sub-Inspector Wilson, who prosecuted, said that there was no immediate sickness in the. accused's family. He could not understand why accused had acted as he did. Accused said that his intention was to send in his resignation, before his leave expired, but as he was some distance from town his resignation did not reach Inspector Cullen until after the time was up. Mr Brabant, S.M M said that it appeared that accused had deceived his superior officers, and had certainly committed the offence charged against him. His Worship could not understand why accused had done so, bub he felt that it was a case for a somewhat heavy penalty. Accused was convicted and fined £5.