THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 262, 3 April 1914, Page 3

THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT.

ITS METHODS CRITICISED. TOO MUCH CARELESSNESS. 'This is one of the many instances of carelessness by the Defence Department's oflicers in handling the prosecution of Territorials," said counsel for the defence of a Territorial yesterday, in making an application for costs against tlie Department. Jn the ease before the Court Leslie P. Sole was being 1 sued for non-attend-ance at a parade on February 17, and it was shown that tlie fact that this parade would be held did not appear on th& (■aril showing the parade for the year, but was verbally announced at a parade on February 10. from which the defendant was absent by special leave. On the morning of February 18, defendant received a card stating that a parade would l)c lield on February 18. This excuse was given when the ease was | first heard in the Court, and Sergt.j Major McOlade immediately asked for 'nu adjournment. Yesterday Mr. Crooke dismissed the information, remarking that the prosecution had arisen through an oversight by the Department. Mr. Ronald Quilliam immediately applied for costs against the Department, 'which Mr. Crooke refused to grant. Mr. Quilliam then remarked that his client had been put to eonsidera'ble inconvenience through the fault of the Department. Ho was not a sKifker; in fact, he was a former volunteer. Tlie Department was continually making mistakes, and he submitted that costs I'shouhHic allowed.

His Worship, however, refused to allow costs, remarking that -the matter -was an oversight.