DESERTION SCHEME FAILS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1731, 28 June 1917, Page 4

DESERTION SCHEME FAILS.

Auckland, June 20. Roy Benjamin Berry, aged 23, and Arthur John Brume, aged 20, in the Dolice Court to-day admitted a.charge of attempting to leave New Zealand without passports. The evidence showed that they were cousins, and came to Auckland a week ago from Oamaru. They approached a Customs official and offered a bribe of £SO for an introduction to anyone on a ship who could got them away to Australia, promising £l5O to the person on the ship. The introduction was arranged, and they got aboard with their luggage, after giving the Customs officer £5 and a cheque for £2O, and the person on the ship £2O and a cheque for £IOO, Boon after they were arrested, and made a clean breast of the matter. Berry had £0 5s lOd in cash, and Bruuie 12s. A letter in Berry’s possession showed that they intended to take assumed names, and that moneys coming to them should be converted into bank notes of a large denomination and ‘ forwarded by mail, Brunie had been drawn in the second ballot. Berry was not yet drawn. For the defence, it was stated that Berry had got into financial difficulties which he wished to escape. Both men were prepared to enlist. Berry was sentenced to three months, and Brunie, who was under 20 when drawn in the ballot, was remanded till Thursday to enable him to enlist. ,