Levin S.M. Court

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 October 1915, Page 3

Levin S.M. Court

THURSDAY., uOIuBER 7th. At the Levin S.M. court yesterday morning, ucioie .Mr o. W. Poynton, S.M., live cadets—Ered Howell, Joe Rose, John Gibson, Eric J oil ami Sydney Thompson were charged with obstructing a parade on the loth September. Mr Bleukhorn appeared for Gibson and entered a plea ol' not guilty. The other lads pleaded guilty. iSergt.-Major Daniels, in referring to Gibson, said that there was laughing and jostling in the ranks during the afternoon. lie saw Gibson pushing the lad in front of him. He had no doubt on this point. He cautioned him once and the r-econd time he took his name, and decided to make an example. The parades had been disorderly ever since he took charge of the area. It was tho most disorderly company he ever had held charge ot. v lle had held twelve parades an,! the lads each •time, and at the 'parade on the loth .had decided to take action to show that there was behind his threats. lie had not noticed Gibson misbehaving before. He fTiought thai it they were treated leniently on this occasion it would lie sufficient. Mr Bleukhorn said that Gibson had tripped and fell against the lad in front on the occasion referred to by the ser-geant-major. Tie put in a testimonial as to Gibson's character front his teacher. Mr J. I Jose, speaking on behalf ot his son. said that it was the fiiot time be had ever been - in Court. On the afternoon in question the bov was suffering because of being kicked oil the leg hv a horse, and could not do drill. j Mr Poynton, in passing judgment, j said that in other countries the drill sergeant would inflict summary punishment in such cases, he would kick and strike them, and if they protested they would he put on bread and water. The country was spending money on them in teaching them drill, and if they did not pay attention to their instructor they would not learn. ne had no wish to convict the lads, and would discharge them, with this admonition it they promised to behave themselves mi the future. The lads gave the required promise and were discharged.