FALSE PAPERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 May 1918, Page 4

FALSE PAPERS.

BROTHERS WHO CHANGED NAMES. A case of deliberate shirking came before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., in theAuckland Court. Two brothers, Richard Davis (24), and Alfred James Davis(27), were brought up, the formeron a charge of military desertion, and the latter of having answered questions about his military status in a. wilfuly false and misleading manner. Richard Davis was arrested on a, charge of having deserted from milk tary service in December. He had been seen by Detective Cummings and Constable Kyne last month, and had produced military papers relating to "Alfred James Davis,” which name he gave_ The police made inquiries and found that the papers belonged to the accused’s brother. They interviewed the brother, who admitted that his C2 paper? were in possession of his brother Richard. Consequently Richard, who had been lost sight of when ho came to Auckland from the camp on leave in December, was arrested. During the inquiries from Jjjg brother the latter at first gave hi’s brother’s name, and later, when told he would be arrested for desertion, he confessed that he was Alfred James, and that he knew Richard had his C2 papers, but they were not handed over by hint (Alfred). Chief Detective McMahon, said that the inquiries showed that; Alfred James had been keeping to the house, while Richard was: going round with his brother’s papers It seemed to the police, from all the cir* cumstances, that the mother, and brother were endeavouring to shield Richard from military authorities. His brother said he had giveng the wrong name because he was in a bit of a muddle, but he admitted that he knew that his papers were being carried and used by his brother. Defendant declined, however, to go into the witness-box and make a statement on. oath. His Worship said h** thought; the whole thing was a conspiracy in the home to' Shield the brother from military service. Defendant would be sentenced to three months’ hard labour