A TROOPER “ON THE BEER”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 308, 29 December 1914, Page 7

A TROOPER “ON THE BEER”

BEFORE THE COURT—AND

AFTER.

Peu Press (Association

Wellington, December' 28

To-day a member of the Expeditionary Force encamped at Trenthain came before the Magistrate’s Court on two charges. On the first of these—that of drunkenness—he was convicted and discharged ; but on the second—that of using obscene fan-, gunge in the city—he was handed over to the military authorities to be dealt with.

This order of the Bench was carried out, and David Leckie, a young unmarried soldier, was taken to the Mount Cook Barracks. On his arrival there he was set to work, but after a short time he became seized with a devouring thirst. To quench this he broke away from his. guard and rushed into town, it is stated, in search of some beer. Mount Cook Barracks immediately communicated with the local police station, but a telephone message a couple of minutes later informed the civil authorities that the escapee had been recaptured. This time Leckie was put into a room on the top storey of the barracks, and it was supposed that he was in safe custody. The thirsty one, however, had resolve:! to get away somehow. The ancient practice of knotting bedclothes into a rope occurred to him, and the thought was instantly put into execution. Tying together some blankets that were in the room, Leckie proceeded to lower himself to the ground. Unfortunately the tying had been done carelessly, a knot slipped, and the young fellow fell heavily to the ground. In his fall he struck once or twice against some projections on the building, and was badly hurt. He was taken to the hospital, where a diagnosis showed that he was suffering from concession and severe injuries to the internal organs. He is in a critical condition.