BELLONA ABSENTEES FACED DESERTION CHARGES
AUCKLAND, July 9. All exeept eight of the 54 ratings of H.M.NZ.S. Bellona who failed to rejoin their ship from leave and presented claims for improved pay and conditions, have now returned to the cruiser or have been arrested by the police under warrants issued by the naval authorities. After being escorted to the naval base at Devonport, most o.f the defaulters have faced charges of desertion. The defaulters were absent when normal leave for the ship's company expired on April 28. About six men returned within the next seven days before they eame into. the category of deserters and the others reported back voluntarily. Later, when the warrants were finally issued seveyal men gave themselves up to the authorities without waiting for arrest. Each case has been dealt with summarily by th.e commanding officer of the Bellona or, while the cruiser is away from New Zealand, by the commanding officer of - the base establishment, H.M.NZ.S. Philomel. In at least some cases sentences of about hO days' detention have" been imposed. However, the ratings who refused duty in the minesweeper Hautapu are reported to have been dealt with on a different basis and it is understood they faced the more I serious ehnrgo of mutiny,
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Chronicle (Levin), 10 July 1947, Page 6
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210BELLONA ABSENTEES FACED DESERTION CHARGES Chronicle (Levin), 10 July 1947, Page 6
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