BOLD DUO OF DESERTERS,

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 22 October 1913, Page 6

BOLD DUO OF DESERTERS,

• THEIR COURT CASE FOR WAGES, (By Telcgrapti.-Prcea Association.) Auckland, - October 21; After hearing argument Mr. C. O. Kettle, S.M., gave judgment this morning oil tho claim made by Edward Watorson .and Melvin Roid, two dosorters from_ H.M.S. New Zealand against William Austin, farmer .of Manurowa, for £1G wages apiece. ' His Worship said that plaintiffs Wero deserters from H.M.S. New Zealand and, oil leaving tho ship, 'mrnt their uniforms, and went into tlio country where they wero employed by defendant as farm-hands. Defendant apparently knew that they .were deserters. They remained on tho farm for over three months, and were then arrested Tlio question was: Should the Court assist them in enforcing the agreement made by them while deserters with defendant? Ho thought that, apart from nil other questions as to the validity of tho agreement, 'it would be contrary ■to public policy to aid plaintiffs in enforcing tlio agreement, and on that ground (apart from other considerations) plaintiffs would be non-suited. His Worship added that he presumed at the evidence taken at tho hearine concerning tin man who helped plaint ffa to desert would be forwarded by the police to tho proper authorities.