THE DESERTER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1607, 26 November 1912, Page 4

THE DESERTER.

SAILOR'S PREDICAMENT. The lot of a shin's deserter wa9 revealed in the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Tile mail was brought into court' to answer a charge of assault and a charge of having made uso of, objectionable language. Ho was convicted and sentenced to a fortnight's imprisonment on the charge of assault, and respecting the other count was fined <£2, in default a week's imprisonment. It was then stated "that the steamer upon whicli the man had been engaged was timed to sail from Wellington at 6 o'clock tho following morning (that is, this morning). Tha Court decided that the defendant should he placed on board the vessel before she sailed. "What am I to do, your Worship?" cried tho man, with a look of utter helplessness. "If I am put aboard, I will get back (to Britain) without a penny. I will havo to work the whole way Home— a month—for nothing."

Sub-Inspector Sheehan: It is his own fault. Ho deserted at Auckland, and the present punishment is incurred through his own actions.

The defendant: Well, sir, I haven't a penny, and I have a wife and five children at Home. His Worship: Yes, but it is your own fault that you are in this position. . The defendant: Well, what would any sane man do? Would you stay in a plaoo at .£5 when you could get .£lO in another place? His Worship: No; I don't think I would.

Defendant (as he was being taken out of court): I refuse to go baclc with the ship. If I am put on board there will be. troublo, I promise yon.