FALSE WAR NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 5, 6 May 1915, Page 2

FALSE WAR NEWS.

- m Pee Press Association. Auckland 1 , May 5. At the Police Court a widow woman named Isabella Morpeth was charged with sending a telegram addressed to a resident of Frasertown, Hawke’s Bay, contrary to the war regulations. Lieut-Colonel Hume, officer commanding the military district, said the case was brought to stop a prevalent and deplorable practice of circulating incorrect reports of casualties among our troops. A telegram was put in by defendant on Fri-' 'day and read: “Commander Plngge (and seven hundred New Zealanders killed.” The message was stopped by the censor. Defendant pleaded not guilty and stated that she heard the news from a gentleman in the street, ■whose address she did not know. This man heard it from another, who said he saw it on the “Herald” board. Mr Fraser, S.M.. said defendant’s explanation bore the impress of truth, but was most indiscreet. As she was an old lady, a nominal fine of £1 and costs was imposed. The Magistrate remarked that perilous it would be a lesson to people circulating such rumours to learn that the maximum line for the od’cnce is CIOO.