WANTED TO GO FARMING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 784, 6 April 1910, Page 8

WANTED TO GO FARMING.

AN UNUSUAL CASE.

MAGISTRATE'S ADVICE TO A BOY,

(By' Telegraph-Press Association.) Chrlstchurch, April 5. An unusual case was heard before Mr. Bishop, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-uay, when Lionel Errol lU'Conchieyi eighteen years, of age, an apprentice at Addington Workshops, was charged with absenting himself without leave! from his work. Mr. Evans, who represented the Railway Department, pointed out that the proceedings were taken at tho instigation of defendant's father, who- wanted him to stop at the workshop. Defendant said he. wanted to go farming,' and for some time he. had been harvesting and ploughing. Ho did not care about the work and wanted to leave.

The magistrate pointed out to defendant that ho was liable to three months' imprisonment, and his father was only doing what was manifestly to his advantage. Mr. Evans said defendant's father had written to the Department, suggesting this course: The writer thought that the boy should bo brought before Mr. Bishop, and a dressing-down by him, would make the boy of a different frame of mind.

Ihe-magistrate:: I don't want to dress Lira down except to tell him that ho had no right to leave the workshops m the maimer he did. l have never, found - any good in trying to drive an unwilling person. I think if the General Manager of Railways was communicated with the matter could be satisfactorily arranged without any trouble. Addressing the boy, the magistrate said ho would adjourn the case for a month, in order to see what could be done in the matter, but he must behave himself in the meantime. His father wanted him to dress defendant down Well, he would just do a little in the drejsmg-down line. It would have been much better if defendant had gone to the manager in an- honourable way, and told liiin ho wanted to bo relieved - ctf his position, instead- qt Clearing out. He (the magistrate) had to issue a warrant for his arrest, which was against his will; but there was no other course. However he took steps to have him released'as quickly as possible. If defendant hajl gono about it in a.proper way, he would have been saved a lot of trouble. He did not think the Railvay Department would have interfered with accused in his endeavour to find more congenial employment. . . The ca/io would be adjourned for a month, and defendant. would be allowed on bail in his own recognisance.