DISMISSED FOR DESERTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9550, 24 July 1909, Page 5

DISMISSED FOR DESERTION.

CASE OF LIEUT. FORD. ; By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 23. In reference to the Sydney cable that Lieut. Ford, of the Warship Pioneer, was reprimanded and dismissed for desertion through missing ,liis passage from Wellington, the "New Zealand Times" says that Ford is a man about 23 years of age. When the Pioneer reached Wellington the which he felt wjth the servjce anoMhe disagree* mentT^hichThe 7 had had with his superiors determined him iu t'ftflV ™$ rash step which terminated in his disgrace. He represented to a friend that he desired to leave the Pioneer and obtain a position in the Mercantile Marine, so he forwarded his written resignation to the captain and absented himself from the ship. He seems to have anticipated that this would lead to trouble, because he went,to the local police and asked if a warrant had been issued for his apprehension. He was infurmed this course had not been taken, but two days later, hearing that his arrest was imminent, he gave himself up. He was taken to the Terrace Gaol and placed for some days in immediate contact with other prisoners. This caused him a good deal of misery, and he expressed deep regret at the impetuous action which had led to his degradation, and said he wished he had deferred his resignation until the Pioneer returned to England. Ford was taken under arrest to Sydney, and there dealt with as the cable indicated.