BREACH OF REPATRIATION REGULATIONS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15955, 25 October 1919, Page 2

BREACH OF REPATRIATION REGULATIONS.

A -RATtOTONTiAX IX TROUBLE. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 3t. A Karotonga n named Harry Kelly, a returned soldier, wa.s brought before Air Wilson, S.AI., to-dav, at the instance of the Auckland liepa.tr iatiou Loan! mi a charge that lie had pawned, without authority, a fishing not- whi;-h had been Jiure.ha.sed for him by tho Repatriation Hoard by way of financial assistance Air Selwvn Mays, for the Department, that the prosecution was brought under the regulations of (he Repatriatiou Act and was instituted as a warning to returned soldiers that they could not dispose of chattels bought for their use by the Repatriation Hoard unless with the written, consent of the Hoard or of the Repatriation officer. The accused, Kelly, and another returned soldier, who was a native, had been supplied by the Repatriation Hoard with a launch, bought for them at a. cost of X2td, and with fishing nets and gear valued at i-55. Until the pnreha-e of that gear for thorn, they received as assistance about .£2 10s per week. The nets were delivered to Kelly <n September 20th, when !i» signed fnr them. ’lie took them to his boat. Next day he called on a pawnbroker ami wanted to sell the net to him. r ! liepawnbroker declined to liny, but offered to lend Ad on the net. and this offer was accepted. Subsequently Kelly’s mate weut to the itepa-1 rial ion officer with the pawn ticket, and the present; action was -.aken as a warning to returned soldiers. A penalty was not pressed for. Air “Rennie-, for the defendant, wid that Kelly was a. Rarotongan, and he honestly did not know lie was doing wrong. He only thought he was liable for the money spent on the net. Both he and his mate wanted money at the time for food, and pledged the net. | They later went to redeem the net. but the pawnbroker refused to return it until the Repatriation officer was notified, and Kelly’s mate then went to the Repatriation officer, who kept the ticket. Air Alays stated that the full effect of dealing in any way with the launch or gear without written permission had Ix-en fully explained to both Kelly and his mate. His Worship stated that as the ease was brought merely' as a warning ho would not inflict, a- penalty other than | ordering payment of ,£M and costs, and i ordering the defendant, to redeem the net forthwith. I