TERRITORIAL EXEMPTED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4500, 6 December 1922, Page 3

TERRITORIAL EXEMPTED.

INJURY TO KNEE. At the Magistrate’s Court on Monday Walter B. Lipsham, of Paeroa (Mr Hanna), who was convicted for failure to attend parades previously, appeared before the Court again, but on this occasion exemption from military training was’ sought on the grounds that he was suffering from chronic weakness of the left knee joint and was physically incapable of further training. A medical certificate supporting the claim was ’.handed in. Sergt.-Majoi- Busby on behalf of the Defence Department opposed application on the grounds that Lipsham had played football during the season and he was quite able to carry our, ibis work as a painter. Sergt.Major Busby reminded His Worship that Lipsham had been previously convicted for failure to attend par - ades and had been deprived of his civil rights for a period of! four yearsW. B. Lipsham, on oath, said that he was aware of the contents of the doctor’s certificate. He admitted playing football in the last quarter of; only one game last year-. After that match, his leg had become swollen and :he had been lame for some time, but he. had not consulted a doctor then because he knew how to treat his knee.

Dr. T. G. Smith was* cross-examine! by Sergt.-Major Busby, Who said he did hot wish to challenge the doctor’s certificate, but asked him if he did not think it was possible for Lipsham to have misled him as regards the weakness of his knee, especially in view of the fact that Lipsham was quite able to carry on his employment as a painter, which work was a greater strain than the military training he wouhl receive. Dr. Smith said that the injury was a chronic weakness, and had existed prior to Lipsliam being passed for the Territorials. The Magistrate said that in view of the evidence exemption would be granted permanently on the terms of the medical certificate.