A MILITARY APPEAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1918, Page 1

A MILITARY APPEAL.

- * ATTEAIBT TO DECEIVE A BOARD

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept, 24

In the Rangiora Magistrate’s Court to-day before Mr. Bailey. S. M., Ernest Frederick Ward, who appeared _in khaki, was charged that he did wilfully attempt to deceive the .Military . Service Board in the exercise of its jurisdiction by stating that Ids father "’as not assisting on his farm, and that his father was keeping an hotel in Dunedin at the time accused was giving evidence before the hoard, accused well knowing such statements to be false. A plea of guilty was entered. Counsel said that accused, who was twenty-three years old, up to the time of the offence had been of unblemished character. Accused and his brother had a farm at (Denmark. 'l’he brother was called up with the 27tli Reinforcements. and left accused to. look after his interests. In his anxiety to preserve his own and his brother’s interest in the property his judgment tailed him in the commission of the offence with which lie stood charged. Accused had gone into camp, and had gained his lance-corporal’s stripe, and the camp authorities gave him an excellent record. He desired to express deep contriiion for his offence, which lie felt would be a blemish on his character for life, lie had suffered punishment already by the wide publicity given to the case by the newspapers. Counsel asked the magistrate to treat accused exactly as he would he treated if before a judge and seeking probation, which ho had no doubt would, under the circumstances, he granted. The Magistrate .after commenting on the seriousness of the offence, said the case was an exceptional one, in fact the first yet dealt with. He was glad to see that the young mail hnd done well whilst on military service, and he did not wisli to send hint to prison. He touglit a line would meet the case, blit lie wished it known .that any offenders coming before him oil a similar charge would he severely dealt with. Accused was fined CIO and costs.