UNENROLLED RESERVIST.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1918, Page 6

UNENROLLED RESERVIST.

NEW PLYMOUTH MAX ARRESTED. A case with some elements of peculiarity was called at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning, when a mar. named Robert John Rilev was brought before Mr. A. Crookc, S.M., on remand, charged with failing to enrol in tlie Expeditionary Force Reserve, as required by tile Military Service Aci, 2MG. SubInspector liutton prosecuted, and Mr. li. C. Hughes appeared for accused. When asked to plead, the man, who, from his appearance, might easily have been taken to be.over military age, attempted to make some sort of explanation, but, on the advice of his counsel, pleaded not guilty. Even then ho did not seem to be satisfied, and made a further effort to explain matters, bu!: was eventually persuaded to remain quiet and hear the case stated. Constable IJadler was called and entered the witness-box, and was about to be sworn when accused's counsel rose to address the Bench. Mr. Ilughes said the case in its present stage was an unusual one- Accused had called on him 011 Friday in connection with the matter, and had subsequently gone to see the police about it, and lie had been immediately \pprehended without warrant, • hurried before a J.P., and remanded till Saturday morning. Hail had been refused, the police stating thai it could not be granted in military eases. He therefore had had no opportunity of conferring with his client until coming into court, and as it was desired to call evidence in connection with the case, he asked for a further remand until to-day at 10.30 a.m.. and also applied for bail. He thought it an extraordinary thing that a man could be so arrested and refused bail. He thought it hardly worth while, therefore, to take the constable's evidence at the present stage. Sub-Inspector Hntton agreed to the remand, but opposed bail. He said that if military shirkers were given bail while on remand, and once get away again, there was a strong likelihood of them not being found. Accused: I'm not a shirker! Inspector Hutton said he had handled a great many such cases in Dunedin, and in no case could lie remember bail having been granted. In. reply to the Magistrate, he said he could not remember a ease in which bail had been applied for and refused. The Magistrate: Who is the man, and what is known about him? The Inspector stated that the facts were that the man lived with his parents on a small farm near New Plymouth, did nothing, and generally led a worthless life. Accused: I'm sot living ft worthless life. I've been grubbing gorse and clearing the farm. Mr. Hughes said the fact that the man had bean living with his parents and working on the farm was a pretty good guarantee that he was not of a wandering disposition, and that he would be there when the police wanted him. Accused: I can deposit £2OO if necessary. The Magistrate admitted being unaware that there was no power to gTant bail in such a case, and as no onu appeared afble to satisfy him on the point he decided to grant the remand applied for and to admit accused to bail, which, however, lie said he would have to make Substantial, and he fixed it at accused £IOO and one surety of £IOO or two of '£so.