MILITARY SHIRKERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1917, Page 1

MILITARY SHIRKERS.

ATTEMPT TO LEAVE NEW

ZEALAND

(Per Press Association. —Copyright.)

AUCKLAND , Juno 2f>. Roy Benjamin Berry (23), Arthur John 'Brume (20) in the Police Court today admitted a.charge of attempting to leave New Zealand without passports. The evidence showed that they were cousins and came to Auckland about a week ago from Oamaru. They approached a Customs official and offered a bribe of £SO for an introduction to some one,on the ship who could get them away to Australia promising £l5O to--A person on the ship. The introduction was arranged and they got aboard with their luggage after giving the Customs official"£so and a' cheque for £2O, and a person on the ship £2O and a cheque for £IOO. Scion after they wove arrested and matle a' clean breast of the matter. IPrry had £0 5s 10d in-cash' and Brume i2s.' , ’ .

A letter in Berry’s*possession showed that they intended to fa.k® assumed names and that monies coming to them would- he converted into hank notes of large denomination and forwarded bymail. 1 ' ■ .

Brunie. had been drawn in the second ballot, but Berry had not yet been drawn. ' -c

• For the defence, it was stated that Berry had got into financial difficulties, which he wished to escape. Both wore prepared to enlistBerry was sentenced to three months, Brunie who was under 20 when drawn in the ballot was remanded until Thursday to enable him to enlist.