A WARNING TO SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 195, 7 May 1918, Page 4

A WARNING TO SOLDIERS

FKOM THK MAGISTRATE'S HE NT IT. TJio action of soldiers in inciting «. mail lo resist arrest was severely commented on in the Magistrates Court yesterday by Mr. S. K. M'Carlhy, b.JI., during tho hearing of five charges preferred against Arthur Bosword. .1 [recharges, to all of which the accused pleaded guiltv, were drunkenness, damaging a constable's helmet, resisting a. constable, assaulting a constable, and using obscene language. Alfred btinson Flack pleaded guilty in connection with, tho same' affair to resisting the constable in tho execution of his duty, and inciting Bosword to resist. Evidence of the prosecution went to show that Constable, bowling arrested Bosword for drunkenness on Saturday afternoon, uutside, tho Duke of Edinburgh Hotel. Bosword violently resisted, and after throwing tho constable to the ground, kicked Him. about fhe ribs. In this he was ,mucli encouraged by a large crowd, which included soldiers and returned soldiers. Two civilians, Messrs. Burberry and. Warren, eamo to tho assistance of Constablo Dowling, and later other constables arrived on the scene. Flack was very prominent in inciting the crowd to rush, tho constablo and rescue Bosword, with such remarks as, "Come on, boys, lot him havo it." After being arrested Flack bolted, but was recaptured. Mr. Scott, who appeared for Flack, said that accused was only nineteen "years of age, and lost hiß head through being mixed up with tho crowd. Ho had two. brothers at flie front, and was tho solo sunnort of his widowed mother. The Magistrate sent Bosword to gaol for six months on the charge of using obscene language, and on the remaining; charges convicted and dismissed him. Flack was remanded on bail for a week: m order to determine what should be. done with him. His Worship commented that a good manv returned soldiers seemed to have the idea that.,they were free of all law, and could do pretty well what they liked. They would have jo remember that when they came back to their country they must obey tho law..