REFUSED TO SERVE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10716, 10 September 1912, Page 5

REFUSED TO SERVE

A SCENE IN COURT. A scene occurred at the Magistrate's Court, Patea, on Saturday, when two brothers named Sellar, recently out from the Old Country, were charged before Mr W. G. Kenrick, S.M., with having failed to comply with the terms of the Defence Act. Frederick Sellar, the elder, a smartlooking lad of twenty years, was the first-charged. He adopted an aggressive attitude from the start, and declared that he was not going to be a soldier. He did not come out to this country for "that purpose. His Worship: You are not going to be made a soldier; you are merely going to bo drilled. Defendant: That is the same thing.

At- 'this stage defendant's father broke in with, "I didn't come out here to have my sons made soldiers. I will not have them taken away from theirwork." and had to be silenced.

Defendant remarked that he would leave the country, to which his Worship replied that it would be a good thing if the defendant carried out his expressed intention. New Zealand did not want men of his stamp. As defendant had apparently made up his mind to defy the law of the land, it was no uso him explaining that ho should do something: for his country while he was in New Zealand. He would be fined £5 and 7s court costs, in dpfault three weeks' imprisonment in Wanganui gaol. Defendant said he would not pay the fine.

Henry Sellar, aged eighteen, adopted the same attitude as his brother. Being at the cadet age, he was let off with a fine of 40s and costs 7s. in de-r fault seven days in Wanganui gaol. Defendant (determinedly): I. shall serve the seven davs.

His Worship: Do not think you will be.a hero: You • will rather be held in contempt by yooix fellowra.' • •