CHARGE OF DESERTION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2864, 31 August 1916, Page 7

CHARGE OF DESERTION

* —— . COURT-MARTIAL IN AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Press* Association. Auckland, August 30. A court-martial was held, at Narrow Neck camp this morjimg to dteal with Sapper (No. 4/1444) Michael Leahey, of • the New Zealand < Tunnel Corps, who was charged with having deserted from His Majesty's Forces hy having' absented himself from Avondale. camp on December 17 last, and remaining away until apprehended at Makaraka, Gishorne, on May 25. Accused pleaded not' guilty, 6aying that lie desired to m,al:e' a statement as to his reasons for desertion. In lis 'evidence, Lettliey stated .tliat ho had left i amp because he was'suffering from a contagious disease, and .did not wish to endanger his companions. In the first placQ he had not intcneded to dfesert, but his visits to doctors .and chemists seemed to be of lio ayriill.- He '" had hoped to.get better, and go back .to camp, but lie did not improve. He-'did hot rean to desert. . .. Captain Pulleii pointed! out to Lcahoy that if he persisted in-his denial of an intention to / desert, .it would involve a charge of ."desertion when under orders to proceed on active service," a much more serious offence.

Colqnel Turner explained iho position, to prisoner, who thereupon decided to withdraw his statement. • He expressed his regret actions had brought on all this trouble. He had been locked up eight days in Gisborne, and after arrival in Auckland hud been sent to Cliristcuirch Kospital, where he had been confined for. three months. In reply to questions, Leahey said he. would like to be allowed to go to the front. The public proceedings tJiou terminated. The-deei-sion of tho Court will be communicated to the officer commanding 'the district.