LONG ARM OF THE LAW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 39, 9 October 1912, Page 5

LONG ARM OF THE LAW.

DESERTER FROM POWERFUL

Tho arp^ r ofc Jhcy law. ps a long one, as many a man lias round to his cost. A case cijmejiy,) at tho jGreyinolith Magistrate’s.‘Court on ‘Friday which goes to prove that a man is seldom beyond the pale of the law., ■ ; The case in point was that of a man named Jackson,. who had deserted from his ship, the H.M.S. Powerful, about six years ago. Since then he had married and is now the father of a family of three children. He was working at Hukariri when ho was taken away to answer the charge of desertion. Tho circumstances were hard, but the law is inexorable, and he was ordered to bo put aboard ship again. In connection with the above case Mr. W. J. Joyce, solicitor, sent the following telegram to the Hon. the Minister of Justice:—

“Hon. Herdman, “Minister for Justice, “Wellington,—

“Court to-day Jackson alleged deserter from ‘Powerful,’ in 1906, ordered to be placed on board snip and sent to Lyttelton. Police say must send him away to-morow early. Jackson married Westport 1906 and has three children, eldest four years, youngest twelve months. Has been good worker and father. Wife and children must look Charitable Aid support. Cannot man be detained here pending enquiries as law surely never contemplated wife and family who are an asset being a liability to State. “Kindly reply Inspector Police tonight. “JOYCE, Solicitor.”

XTp to an early hour next morning, tho “Argus” adds, no reply had been received, and it was expected that Jackson would leave for Lyttelton.