A PRISONER AND THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 286, 12 May 1915, Page 8

A PRISONER AND THE WAR.

LIBERTY IF lIE ENLISTS. AX INTERESTING CASE. Ey Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A ease similar in certain respects to the one which was dealt with by M'r. Justice Deniston at Christchurch a day or two ago was before the Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in the Supreme Court, at Wellington to-day. It wa3 that of Leo Stephen Curtis, formerly town clerk at Ohakune, who had pleaded guilty to six charges of theft whilo in the employ of the Ohakime Borough Council. The accused had between November 1913 and August 11114 appropriated sums amounting in all to £'27G 4s .id. Sir John Findlay, K.C., with Mr. D. R. Itoggard, appeared for the prisoner. His Honor said that nothing was known against Curtis apart from his present offence.

Sir John Findlay stated that the accused was about 25 years of age. He ihad been employed as a clerk in two borough council offices in the vicinity of and in 1013 he was appointed town clerk at Ohakune, a position which lie held until he joined the first expeditionary force for Egypt. He did not appear to have gambled or drunk. His parents were people of high reputation and lie was one of a considerable family. Two military officers under whom lie had served in Egypt had written expressing approval of his conduct and work, and hoping that he would be able to rejoin the forces. After !ie was called upon to return to New Zealand the Imperial authorities told him that if the Court were to give liim tiis liberty under any conditions, and should the New Zealand authorities not allow him to rejoin the colors, the Imperial authorities would allow him to do so. His trouble was not due to any moral misconduct, but to his being unfortunate in a speculation, under the pressure of which he was forced to this unhappy offence. Each of his employers spake in the same high term 3 of his character. Counsel added that he could not ask for probation, as the charge comprised a series of offences, but lie wished to mate application similar to that which was made to Mr. Justice Denniston in a graver case, that in which Cecil Furrow was charged with embezzling £fiC3 from the Lyttelton Borough Council. In that case accused had enlisted, and the military authorities being willing to take him if restitution were made, his Honor had promised to consider the matter. Referring again to the Curtis case, Sir John Findlay said that restitution of every pennv would be made. The accused when he went to Egypt had left behind him a record of the amounts taken and he had confessed at once. His Honor instructed counsel to communicate with the military authorities and ascertain whether thev would allow accused to proceed to the war. If they ■would agree to this his Honor would be prepared to give Curtis probation. ! The aeousod was then remanded until Monday,