GUNNERS FINED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1564, 7 October 1912, Page 4

GUNNERS FINED.

A STRIKE, AND AFTER. The company store room at Fort Kelburne, Ngaluuiranga, was the scene of au interesting little ceremonial on Saturday afternoon, when the 30 odd gunners of the Petono Company of the Wellington Garrison Artillery Division who "downed tools" the previous Saturday, and went home as, a protect against drifting for six hours instead of three, were brought before their commanding officer and doalt with under the disciplinary authority vested' in him by the Defence, Act and regulations. When the company mustered for parade it was seen that only one of the 35 who defaulted at tea time 'the w&ik before was missing, and on inquiry it was ascertained that the company's medical officer had exempted him on account of a temporary disability.

When the men paraded, one of the senior non-commissioned officers' of the corps stepped forward, and on behalf of the defaulters said that the men were very sorry that they had acted in the manner they had done the previous Saturday, and ashamed to think that a blemish had thus been east on Iho previous high reputation and excellent csprit-de-corps of the company. They realised that they had by their action brought upon themselves certain pains and penalties, nnd had no wish to shirk the consequence* of t.heir offence. They had considered that the six-hour parade was purely optional, nnd that they wore at liberty to go after three hours' -work had been done. They realised, however, that they could not justify their action in leaving the fort without permission. A "Company Orderly Room" was then held, Major Bevan. 0.C.. presiding. The defaulters' caps and belts were removed, nnd the owners thereof placed under guard. Each defaulter was dealt with separately, the chavse being read out and evidence called. As the. result of the proceedings, seven of tho offenders were remanded to the Officer Commanding tho Division (Lieiit.-Colonel F. J. f'onrtnev), to be dealt with. Seventeen others wore fined 10s. each, while the remainder, who had not long been members of the company, were fined ss. each, and ordered to put. iu three extra, guards,