A FALSE STATEMENT.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 105, 7 November 1918, Page 2

A FALSE STATEMENT.

Decision Reconsidered. James Cochrane Cleland was charged at the Police Court, Hamilton, on Tuesday, states the " Times," before Mr Rawson, 5.M.., with having, at Matamata, on May 13th 1918, made a false statement under the National Registration Act, 1915, by alleging that he was a married man. Accused was previously sentenced to a month's imprisonment on the charge. His Worship said that he had asked to have the man brought before him again, that he might re-consider his decision, not out of consideration for accused, who, on his own admission, was a contemptible man, but because he may not have given sufficient consideration to the extenuating circumstances. The false statement had heen made, partly, to shield a woman. It may have been the natural feeling of disgust at the statement that " accused was sheltering behind a woman's petticoats " that led him to inflict a sentence of a month's imprisonment, but upon consideration he had decided to remit this, and impose a fine of £2O. The sentence of imprisonment would not have had a deterrent effect upon others, for any offence in this direction had already been committed. A month was given in which to pay the fine.