PLAIN COLD FEET.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 August 1918, Page 3

PLAIN COLD FEET.

STOWAWAYS BROUGHT BACK. SENT TO GAOL FOB THREE ' ' 'MONTHS. WELLINGTON, August 28. After the Manuka had sailed for Sydney about a fortnight ago it was found that six military reservists were missing, and it was thought probable that the men had left the Dominion on the Sydney boat. Word was at once sent to the police at Sydney to keep a strict wiatch on the vessel, and on her arrival the crew and passengers were drafted off, and a three hours' search revealed the six stowaways, men were placed on board the Moeraki, and were returned to New Zealand yesterday. The vessel was met by a posse of police on her arrival at the Glasgow whatrf,, and Vjihe men) were brought ashore, handcuffed, and, together with a youth who had stowed away at Sydney, were lodged for the night in the Central Police Station.

The six men were brought befoire Mr F. V. Fraser, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning and charged with leaving New Zealand by the Manuka without a permit. James Felix Duffy (IS), a youth who stowed away at Sydney, also stood in the dock to explain why ho had secreted himself on the vessel.

Duffy, whose case was dealt with first, said that he had been unable to obtain ,a ship from Sydney, and, hearing that he could probably get a boat at Hobart, stowed away, intending to land at that port. He offered to obtain the amount of his passage money (£6 10s) from his father, who resides at Woolloomoloo,, if he was allowed to work his passage back to Australia.

The Magistrate remarked that he did not like to send the Lad to gaol, but finally decided that he should be detained apart from other prisoners until Saturday, by which time police ensuiries will have been made. The other six men, who, physically at least, are apparently fine men, -each pleaded guilty. Inspector Marsack said that each man was also wanted by the military authorities. The Union Steamship Co. asked that the fares (£9 each) should be paid. Some of the men had the full amount, one of them having £2B odd.

"What is the explanation of .this affair?" asked Mr Fraser.

"Plain cold feet,", answered the Inspector. ' 'Two of them are wanted for having deserted from Trent-ham camp."

"A sturdy-looking crowd of men like you might have been expected to do something better than funk it, as you did/' remarked the Magistrate. On the charge of leaving New Zealand without a permit, each man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and on the charge of secreting themselves on the vessel each was convicted and ordered to pay the fare £9, in default a further month in gaol.

Michael. O'Connor was further charged and pleaded guilty to having failed to enrol. Inspector Marsack said it was simply a double-banking charge. O'Connor had refused to enrol, and had followed that action up by bolting from the country. "There is no need to penalise you further," said his Worship. "Every body knows about you now. You will be convicted and discharged." The following are the names of the men concerned: Jeremiah Courtney (24), Bernard Bradley (27), Michael O'Connor (35), Thomas Peter Prcnaorgast (26). William Albert Collins (30), and Patrick Toohey (26). ra'x qe oq.rSinl'axtt)),

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