COURT-MARTIAL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16419, 13 January 1919, Page 3

COURT-MARTIAL.

FAILING TO PARADE. A Court-martial eat at the Kinrr Edward Barraclcs on 'Saturday morning to consider a charge again3t ATbert Maitland McLachlan, Lorsa trainer, of Acbburton, of having disobeyed tlve lawful command of liis superior officer, in that he failed to present himself for medical examination at Tiuiaru when ordered to do so. The Court consisted of Major •H. li. Loach (prosidc-r.t), Captain OsmondSmith, and Lieutenant 13. T. Wood, Captain H. G. Livingstone acting Mr Cassidy appeared for the accused. For tho prosecution it was stated tliat Section 10 of the Military Service Act provided for the calling Tip of accused by ballot, and Section 13 provided for liis calling; up by "Gazette" notice, and if he failed to present himself at the place notified he might Ik tried and punished under the Army Act foi dceerlion or absence without leave. Accused had been drawn in the seventh ballot for Group 14, and was subsequently transferred to Group 10 in 191". Ho had been ordered by registered notsco to parade for examination, and subsequently had been ordered by "Gazette" notice to report himself atTimi.ru, but had failed to do eo. H© had «riven the authorities no notification of any change cf address. Accused in his eridence said that he had gone from Aahburton to Palmerston North, but had failed to notify his change of addreas. He had received no uotios> to parade when at Aahburton, nor did he know that he was re- j quired to parado until he was arretted at Palmerston North. lie was not an objector of any kind to service. He had been medically examined for tlio Territorials and rejected as phyrapally unfit. Mr Casaidy contended thr.t in England no soldier woidd be punished under liie Army Act if it were not clear that ho had received and fully comprehended an order. The Court found accused guilty. Sentence will be promulgated later. SENTENCES PEOMT7LGATED. Herbert Grainger and George Deane, who were found guilty by Court-martial on Friday of changes of having failed to attend for medical examination, and having been absent without leave respectively, have each been ftcntoncfrd to IS' months' imprisonment with hard labour.