CIRCULATING FALSE NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12536, 6 May 1915, Page 7

CIRCULATING FALSE NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, May 5. At the Police Court to-day a widow woman, named Isabella Morpeth was charged with sending: a telegram addressed to a resident of Frascr Town, Haw'ke's Bay, contrary to the war regulations. ~ Lieut-Colonel Hume. Officer Commanding the Military District, said the case was brought to '.stop the prevalent and deplorable pract.ee of circulating incorrect reports of casualties .amongst our troops. A telegram was put in oy the defendant on Friday stating that Commander Plugts- and 700 New /calenders had been kill d. The message was stopped by the censor. The defendant pleaded not guilty, and stated tl-:it she had heard the news from a gentleman in the street, and whose addro.i she did net know. J his man heard it from another man. who said he saw it - •) the Herald board. MrFrazer. .S.M., -".id defendant s explanation bare th •. impus . of truth, but her action had J- en most indiscreet. As she was an old lady, be would inflict the nominal fine »i i-'o. wmi costs His Worship -remarked that, it would perhaps be a le'-s-.m tn p o;:!e circulating such rumor:- to Irani that the maximum fine for the ;.lfeur.e is £IOO.