New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 9 February 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

THE DUERKOP CASE. Per Press Association. Wellington, February S. At the Supreme Court to-day Wili helm Magnus Duerkop. a member of ! the firm of Duerkop and Mackay, Auckland, merchants, appeared before the Chief Justice op charges of trading with the enemy. The charges were as follows: (1) Being a partner in a firm of merchants carrying on business at Auckland under the name of Duerkop and Mackay. on or about September 17, at Auckland, at a time while his Majesty was at war with a foreign State, to wit, the Empire of Germany, did attempt to supply Gustav J. J. Witt, a person carrying on business in the territory of such foreign State, to wit, at Hamburg, certain goods, to wit, 17 casks of casings; (2) A similar charge laid in respect to October 6, the charge reading. “Did supply thirty-three casks and one case of casings.”

~{3) Introspect to October 28 of “attempting to supply nineteen-bales of sheepskins, twelve sacks of cowtails, and fourteen sacks of glue pieces.”

(4) On the same date ten casks of casings.

(5) Of attempting to trade with the enemy by supplying Gustav J. J. Witt and Co.’s Hanelraaaschappis, a German firm trading at Rotterdam for transmission to an enemy country, to wit, Germany, nine casks and one case of casings.

Evidence was largely in the form of correspondence, and the case stands unfinished.

CALLING "HALT!” TO AN IM- ' POSTER.

Auckland, February 8

A man wearing a sergeant’s uniform and claiming to be an reservist, who had, it is alleged, endeavoured to profit from the patriotism of others, encountered an officer of the Defence Department at the office of the Patriotic League, where the latter cut the stripes olf the pseudo-sergeant’s uniform and removed his belt. He informed him that un. less he returned the uniform immediately he would be locked up. It is understood the man will not be prosecuted in view of thb fact that his wife and children are dependent on him.

MISCELLANEOUS. Hon J. Allen says that Mr Holdsworth, manager of the Union Company, has informed him that the company have arranged to grant return passages at single rates to members of the forces at Trentham visiting their homes, on their providing certificates from the commanding officer. He understands that the Huddart Parker Co. will probably arrange a similar concession, but he has ho definite information about the latter company.

A Gazette extraordinary issued last night contains an Order-in-Douncil by the Governor revoking the order made and published in the Gazette of January 7 under the authority of tlie Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, fixing the maximum price of wheat in New Zealand. The revocation takes effect on February 15.

The total subscriptions received by the Hawke’s Bay division of the British Medical Association, with the assistance of the Hawke’s Bay Automobile Association, towards providing motor ambulances at the front amount to £3BOO. Six motor ambulances will be ordered through the High Commissioner, who will be instructed to place them at the disposal of the Imperial authorities for immediate use, but later to be attached to the New Zealand forces on their arrival in Europe. The Minister of 'Defence directs attention to a mis-statement in the press last week in respect to the question of deferred pay. It was stated that in cases where defendants have not received any support from the men, the men concerned have been ordered to sign a form, which was invariably signed. Mr Allen points out that no pressure was brought to bear on the men. They were advised to make, provision, first of all for their wives and children, and then for life assurance and debts (if any), but no compulsion was used.