REPATRIATION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3403, 6 February 1920, Page 3

REPATRIATION.

‘WARNING TO RETURNED

SOLDIERS.

George Waring Watkins, a returned soldier, in Auckland Court on Wednesday morning, admitted a breach of the Repartiation Act in that having obtained Government. financial assistance wherewith to purchase a motor van, -he disposed of the chattel without the consent in writing of an officer of the Repatriation Department. It Was explained b_v Mr R. E. Matthews, for the 'a.ccuSed, that Watkins had obtained a van specially fitted for hawking soft goods in the country, but finding the warket and Season unsuitable for the venture he had leased the V‘Et]l’fol' a time *0 another man wittout informing the Repatriation Department or getting the Department’s consent. He had not actually disposed of the van. (‘.onn.sel for the Department stated that Watkins llhld seen a chance to lease the van at a profit, leaving him free for other work, and had done it without enabling the Department to safeguard themselves from loss by possible damage to the van. His Worship pointed out that men who borrovve(l from the Repatrilatio-n Department were in the same position as all other bol'l'owefrs, and could be dealt. with much more seVol'Cl_V under the Repatriation Act. for -involving the security of loans in irnproper risk. Accused would be fined £2 and 40/6 costs,