Commonwealth Military Forces.

Waikato Times, Issue 12180, 15 September 1911, Page 7

Commonwealth Military Forces.

♦ WOMAN TAKES CHARGE OP CADETS' PARADE. MELBOURNE, Aug. 28. A«d elderly woman named SaraU Aiim Ravenstuncb, in a' drunken coo.-' Uitico, interrupted a parade at West Footscray. As a cons9t;juence, she appeared at Footscray Court charged with having behaved in an offensive manner (in a public place. Sergeant Smelcher . Unless the people who are inciting the toys tc 'defy the law andl their officers are punished, the compulsory training scheme can only b0 carried on under great difficulty. Marmaduke Ccates, staff officer of the Commonwealth military forces, testified th a t on Saturday, 12fch inst., •he was drilling, ,a company of 120 cadets at the corner of Barkly and Gordon streets, West Footscray. Defendant, under the influence of drink, came up, caught witness by the left arm, and turned 'him roundl rather roughly. She said : " What sort ot a soldier do .you call yourself ? Whan it comes on to rain you put on your, coat." Then, 'going in atoongst the boys, sh'2 pulled them this way and that, remarking, ''"Don't take any] notice of him ; it isn't the man, it's the uniform. Don't let them: , make, soldiers of you. Rememlber, you art Australians." As rain then commenced to pour, dismissed the company, which was in a state of disorder. Defendant said that sb? <p, few drinks, and was out looking for her boyß. One of the offioers said to her " Wie don't allow petticoats 'here," and that incensed .her. (Laughter ) * Mr W. Mitchell, J.P. : You fcj ao 'business' there at all. Defendant: No, I didn't recognise the seriousness ©f it all. A fine of 20s, in default three days' 'imprisonment, was recorded.