POSED AS AIRMAN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 100, 18 December 1931, Page 6

POSED AS AIRMAN

HEAVILY FINED - RECENT ARRIVAL FROM NEW HEBRIDES CLAIMS RIGHT TO DECORATIONS FALSE REPRESENTATIONS AUCKLAND, Thursday A recent arrival from the New Hebrides, Arthur Thomas Morrison Grove, aged 42 years, was charged to-day with falsely representing himself to be entitled to wear the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, ancl the D.C.M. Squadron-Leader Isitt said Grove gave him to understand that he had had considerable service with the Flying Corps. Doubting his statemeirts witness wrote to the military headquarters and ascertained that accused's name was not on any official army list. Accused had applied for the position of pilot instructor to the Wairarapa Aero Club, and submitted what purported to be a testimonial and a discharge .certificate. When Groye announced his intention of giving evidence the Magistrate warned him of the possibility of a perjury charge. Grove said he would go into the box, as he possessed the decorations, but counsel dissuaded him. Accused was fined £20, or three months' imprisonment. Evidence was then heard on charges of theft-and false pretences. On these accused was committed for trial. No bail was applied for. One of the credentials presented by Grove was a testimonial from Mr. D. Blandy, the acting-Resident Commissioner in the New Hebrides, dated at Vilo on August 8. It said: In spite of having no resources, he has maintained himself by working and he has not been a charge on the Government funds. During this time he has been strickly honest to the point of depriving himself of the necessities of life. He- is a good painter and a fair oda-job man. He also has some capacity as a draughtsman. He is somewhat eccentric, but quite reasonable if properly handled. He served in the Great War and reached the rank of Second-Lieutenant.