A SHIRKER PUNISHED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1838, 11 June 1918, Page 3

A SHIRKER PUNISHED.

Gisborne, June 8

“You have not only been proved a downright shirker, hut a dangerous liar. This is the most deliberate case that has come under my notice. There are no extenuating circumstances, and 1 deem it my duty to impose the maximum penally.” Those were (he severe comments expressed by Mr Barton, S.M., at. (he Magistrate's Court this morning in dealing with a prosecution under the Military Service Act against a man who originally set up the defence that he was an Australian, and that he had come over to New Zealand only to sell a horse and a couple of dogs. The accused was John Ilci-herl Sullivan, alias John Charles Bridgeman, and ha appeared on remand.

Dolective McLeod intimated that he desired to withdraw the first charge of failing to register. A further charge was thereupon- preferred against accused under section 44 of the Military Service Act, in that-when questioned by Detective McLeod as to his name, occupation and abode and place and date of birth, he answered such questions in a false and wilfully misleading manner. Accused pleaded guilty. His Worship: “This is a very bad ease. You deliberately gave a false name to mislead the authorities, your object in doing so being to evade arrest as a deserter.” His Worship imposed the maximum sentence of three months’ imprisonment.

“The police are deserving of considerable credit for the way they ferreted this ease out,” added the magistrate, “and Mr Hawkins is also to be commended for his action in the matter. He no doubt led to accused being brought before the

court under these proceedings. If similar action was taken by other employers, shirkers would soon be brought to light.”

It is understood that further proceedings against accused are pending.