A SOLDIER IN COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 70, 27 June 1916, Page 3

A SOLDIER IN COURT.

OVERSTAYED HIS LEAVE.

(From the Hawera Star.) J Joel Stanislaw France, wearing the uniform of a soldier, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness on Saturday. I Senior Sergeant McNeely said he would ask for a remand. The defend- i ant, as his Worship would see, was wearing a soldier's uniform. Defend- . ant was somewhat of a mystery, and | had in his possession a soldier's paybook, hearing the name of J. S. France, which he believed was. the man's correct name, and also a sol-, dier's certificate of leave,, a certificate of discharge, and a returned soldier's railway ticket, all in the name of J...' 11. McTaggart. He desired a remand so that' the military authorities could make inquiries about the defendant. j The Magistrate (Mr W. R, Haselden): What is your full name?—Joel Stanislaw France. ' • What body do you belong to?-—I was put back from the 14th Mounted to the 18th Mounted Reinforcements. By whom?—The camp commandant How do you come to be here?—l had 14 days' leave, and met McTaggart. who induced me to come here from Wanganui. Where is your leave certificate?—l have lost it. When did your leave expire?—About four days ago. i/Vre you a deserter? —No, sir. Absent without leave?—No, sir.- 1 intended going back yesterday inoVn- ! ing, r hut I missed the train. l> have ; overstayed my leave. "' v' : You would not have got back m time ?—No,' sir: I would have been a few days : "over my leave. How did you get hold of these papers to'McTaggart?—l don't know. Very well, you are now being charged with being a deserter. You are remanded until M6nday. Yesterday morning the soldier was ordered by the Magistrate to be handed over to the military authorities. Heis alleged to have absented himself from camp without leave. Philip Richard Needham was arrested,by the police on Saturday on a charge of having, on "December 30, 1915, deserted from his Majesty's forces. The defendant stated in Court that he bad received his discharge. He was directed to be handed over to Jhe military ants were ■tiers