“I’LL NEVER GO!”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1744, 23 October 1917, Page 3

“I’LL NEVER GO!”

ELUSIVE SHIRKER. THREE MONTHS’ GAOL—THEN THE CAMP. At the Magistrate’s Court- at Palmerston on Saturday, Thomas Carr, alias John Rock, was charged, before Mr W. G. Kenrick, S.M., with changing his name without the consent of the Minister for Internal Affairs and assuming a name other than that by which he is usually known. Sergeant Henry conducted the prosecution, and stated that the accused was a reservist and was drawn in the first ballot, at Masterton. He had changed his name, and bad been eluding the police for a long time. He was recently working near Hunterville, and when he saw a constable approach, ran away. He was chased, and put up a desperate resistance before he was captured. When caught, the accused said to the arresting constable, “I will not go to the front,” and also said that if he was compelled to go he would cither commit suicide or take the life of some one else. The Magistrate: What are’you frightened of? , Accused: I don’t want to fight, and I don’t*see why I should fight people who have done me no harm. The Magistrate: You are-letting the other men fight for you. It is either selfishness or cowardice. If you are sensible yon will go. Accused: I’ll never go there. I’m not afraid of the Germans. My mother and father could not live in the country where they were born through the British. The Magistrate; You’ll change your tune when you go into camp. Accused: “I’ll never change my tune.” Sergeant Henry asked for a substantial penalty, us the case was a serious one. The accused was convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, on the expiry of which he is to be handed over to the military authorities.