UNLAWFULLY WEARING THE KING'S UNIFORM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2367, 25 January 1915, Page 6

UNLAWFULLY WEARING THE KING'S UNIFORM

i: "■ AN UNUSUAL CASE IN WELLINGTON Some rather unusual circumstauces centred . round tlio charge preferred ;against James Henrv Evans, a tall mili-tary-looking man, who appeared beforo |Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., on Saturday morning charged with wearing tlio of His Majesty's Forces with}out. permission. !.v When he was called oix to plead, 'Evans broko into a long, i*nmbliiig I statement, in which lie said he had sent ( to Trentham by a- member .of the Staff to tako up a position as | temporary drill instructor. Later Ito was granted leave to return to Wellington, as he had no uniform. He had ; secured his uniform an order from an officer of the Staff corps. Defendant went'on to. relate how he had • assisted in the arrest of a man who ; had -assaulted a Territorial. ; Inspector Hendrey said that he understood that the latter part of defendant's story was correct, and that he aided the police to secure a man (Who had brutally attacked a trooper. Aocused had been found drunk in; an i hotel, and was wearing at the time fthe: uniform lie at present had on, and :which ho,had no right to wear. ; Evidence 1 was given by two Defence officers "that defendant had not been jsworn in, had absolutely no right to ; wear the uniform, and when arrested was in a drunken condition. Questioned, due of the witnesses said ■ecctised could have got his ; uniform Imthout an order. i'. r .Inspector Hendrey: Do you mean that any Tom, Dick, or Harry can go I to; .the olothing manufacturer and get ja, uniform? ■ f- -The witness replied' that this ap- ! jpeared to be the case. i "A very curious state of affairs, if .anyone who likes can go in there and iget a uniform," said the Magistrate. Accused several times attempted to Interrupt the witness, saluted repeatedly !on tho least provocation,- and brought ibis .heels together in military fashion. [. "I don't think accused has quite got' over the effects of the drink yet," 6aid tho Magistrate at length; "be had better bo remanded." , ; Inspector Hendrey: I think the man ;has been drinking heavily, and he isliould be remanded in his own interests. ' ; Accused was accordingly remanded till to-day, when he will he given an 'opportunity to call evidence on his Own behalf.