Two Young Men Sent To Prison For Deserting From Dominion Monarch

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 April 1949, Page 8

Two Young Men Sent To Prison For Deserting From Dominion Monarch

“You seem decent types of young fellows, but I am bound to impose a penalty,” said Mr. J. H. Salmon* S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, yesterday, after two .seamen lorwerth Telfryn Jones and Ivor Fithen Pearce, both aged 21, had pleaded guilty to a charge of deserting from the Dominion Monarch at Wellington on February 26 last. Each was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment. Sergeant A. Carlyon, who prosecuted, said that the two men had surrendered to the police that morning. They had been living in Wanganui and seeking employment in the district. Nothing was known against them.

Mr. A. D. Strachan, who represented the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co., Ltd., said that the Wanganui office had received nd information regarding these men. Sergeant Carlyon: Warrants for their arrest were issued from Wellington.

“I had nothing against the ship, but I liked this country and wanted to stay here,” said Jones. Pearce also said that he liked New Zealand and wanted to stay.

“You know the penalty for this sort of thing,” said the magistrate. “So many young fellows are signing on in the United Kingdom witli the intention of deserting in New Zealand. They get a cheap trip out, and though they may be of good character, the Court must impose a penalty. The shipping companies are put to a tremendous amount of inconvenience and expense.”