MASQUERADING'AS A SAILOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 303, 18 September 1919, Page 5

MASQUERADING'AS A SAILOR

A MAN'S PECULIAR PRANKS. I A man' named Edward Gerald Golson appears to have a.special liking for tho j blue rig-out of the Jack Tai. A few j days ago Golsbn was at kelson dressed i like a nian-o'-war's man, and when ques- i tioned by a policeman Golson said he belonged to H.M.S. New Zealand, but was unable to produce his leave-pass. Inquiries were instituted, and it was found that there was no such person on the.ship's roll, and furthermore that no member, of tho crew was missing. Golson then said lie deserted from tho s.s. Ruahino, but this Btory was found to bo a fabrication, and then Golson wished the police to' believe that he was a stowaway. Howevei,. he was brought before the Magistrate at Nelson on a charge of wearing- the King's uniform without leave, and was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and his sailoi rig was confiscated. A week or so later Golson turned up at Pictoh, once more as a sailor from H.M.S. New Zealand, but without money. At Nelson ho was. known as Golson, at Picton ho gave his name as Gobson, and managed to "raise the wind" in Blenheim and Picton. Tho Wellington police were communicated with, \and after 6ome ilagwagging between the wharf and the battle-cruiser it vim ascertained that there was. no'such name'as "Gobson" on the vessel's register. Tho masquerader was brought to Wellington, and in the Magistrate's Court yesterday he pleaded guilty to wealing His Majesty's uniform without permission, and was remanded by Mr. W. G. lliddell, S.M., until to-day for sentence.