"A DOWNRIGHT SHIRKER"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 224, 10 June 1918, Page 4

"A DOWNRIGHT SHIRKER"

STRONG COMMENT BY A MAGISTRATE. By' Telesraph.—Press Association. Gisborno, June 8. "You have not only been proved a downright shirker, but a dangerous liar. This is tho most delibcrato case that has come under my notice. There are no extenuating circumstances whatever, and I deem it my duty to impose the maximum penalty." These were the severe comments expressed by Mr. Barton, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning in dealing with a prosecution under tho Military Service Act against a man who originally set up the defence that he was an Australian and that he had only come over to New Zealand to sell a horse and a amnio of dogs. Accused, John Herbert Sullivan, alias John Charles Bridgcman, appeared on remand. • Detective M'Lcod intimated that he desired to withdraw the first charge of failing to register. A further charge was thereupon preferred against accused under Section 44 of the Military Service Act, in that when questioned by Detectivo M'Leod as to his name, occupation, abode, an<V placo and date of birth, ho answered such questions in' a false and wilfully misleading manner. Accused pleaded guilty. His Worship: "This is a very bad case. You deliberately gave a false name to mislead the authorities, your object in doing bo being to evade arrest as a deserter." Tho maximum sontenco of three months' imprisonment was imposed. "Tho police are deserving •of considerable credit for the way they ferreted this case out," added the Magistrate, "and Mr. Hawkins is also to be commended for his action in tho matter. He no doubt led to . accused being brought beforo tho Court under these proceedings. If similar action was taken by other employers shirkers would soon be brought to light." It is understood that further proceedings against accused are pending.