RESERVIST IN COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11948, 6 March 1917, Page 2

RESERVIST IN COURT.

CHARGE OF FAILING TO

REGISTER-

[FSOM OWP. Cobrespondewt.] WELLINGTON, March o. There was a somewhat extraordinary development in a case heard iu the Magistrate's Court to-day. A man named John AVhitelaw was. called upon to answer tho following charges:—(l) That on March «i, 1917, he did refuse to answer questions relartiee to his enrolment iu the reserve, as required by tho Military Service Act, 191(5; (2) being required to make application to be enrolled in the reserve, he did fail to do so. This is the Jirst instance in which the police have taken action relative to the first-mentioned charge. The accused, pleaded not guilty. Constable Smith gave evidence as to effecting the arrest or "Whitelaw at Jvilbirnie, in company with Constable 'Wallace. When questioned by the coils table on Saturday, accused, refused to give any information concerning his enrolment. Ho said, You go and report to your head men and tell the/n you have a man who refuses to answer questions.'" He absolutely defied t'ho constable to take action. Defendant (to the constable): Did J say to you, "I sent in the registration form F"—No. You absolutely rcniKod to say anything at all. Did I say, "1 cannot discuss tho matter further with you?" ; -^es. Then vou lodged me in the lock-up, which 1 contend is a ''criminal ' act. I think the nation has gone mad.

Constable Wallace said he went to Kilbirnie to arrest Whitelaw. Accused then said, "I refuse to answer any questions regarding my enrolment. ' In giving evidence on his own behalf. Whitelaw adopted a .peculiar aititudo._ He said he had sent in his iorra of registration, but he had no proof bevond the fact that he had a copy at home, and also his own word of honour. ' Accused then pwceeded to roundly condemn the post: officials who, he said, had abused him in every way. " 1 have turned, the post office down for ever," he gravely announced, "and I will never po"t- another letter there." Recounting his arrest, Whitelaw saw that he bad given a constable a walle* which, on account of ite precious and confidential contents, lie had requested should be sealed. . In answer to this the constable, in question, said that the "precious contents" consisted of certain pound notes and two dog registration tickets. (Laughter). Accused continued to make vague references and accusations. _ The Magistrate (.Mr L. (■• Lmd. S.M.) interrupted: '•'Defendant, had better be remanded for three days."