A “RESPECTABLE” DESERTER OF HIS FAMILY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2576, 23 June 1881, Page 2

A “RESPECTABLE” DESERTER OF HIS FAMILY.

SECOND EDITION

A somewhat unusual case has recently been occupying the attention of the Wellington Benevolent Committee. About a month ago a pensioner, whose name we withhold for obvious reasons, deserted his family in Wellington, after drawing his quarter’s pension, and it was subsequently ascertained that he had proceeded to Sydney in H.M.S. Wolverine. His family consists of two girls, whoso ages are 17 and 16, an infant of a year old, and three other children, who are being kept at the Convent School. His wife died three or four months since. Instructed by the Committee, Mr A. G. Johnston wrote to Commodore Wilson to ascertain, if possible, the man’s whereabouts and the circumstances under which he obtained a passage. Commodore Wilson’s reply was read at the meeting held yesterday afternoon. He states that the pensioner in question was given a passage to Sydney in the Wolverine at the request of Captain Knollys, aide-de-camp to His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon, “ who represented him to be a respectable worthy person.” The writer adds—“ The man had a considerable sum of money with him, which kil )dged in the paymasters hands for security during the voyage. He has now left the ship and we have no knowledge of his whereabouts.” Mr Holdsworth, the Chairman, remarked that the case was one of “ taken in,” and no further notice was taken in the matter.