Untitled

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15894, 7 May 1917, Page 8

Charges of leaving New Zealand on January 4th without a permit, ana failing 'to enrol in tho Expeditionary Force Reserve were preferred against George Pigdon in the Auckland PoliM Court last week before Mr F. »• Frazer, S.M. Defendant pleaded cuily* Chief-Detective McMahon said the defendant stowed away on a steamer proceeding front Auckland to Sydney. After the vessel had been at sea for ® while defendant came out from hiding and told the captain he had stowed a-yay. On arrival, at Sydney he was handed over to tho police, and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for attempting to land in Australia 1 without a permit. He was subsequently extradited, and it was then found that he had not registered in the reserve. Defendant said that after being rejected twice in Austral' B, h® went to Dnnedin, and was again re* jected, and told he would never bo ft® for the front. When the Militar? Service Act came into force he thougbs that if ho did not register he would E® into camp straight away. A* n« wanted to go into camp he did JW* register. In the meantime his brother in Australia, who had previously been rejected, wrote to say that it easier to get accepted, so defendant went on Ho the boat to go to Austral! to enlist. His Worship, with a to proving if the man were fit of ° " wise, remanded him to give him opportunity of enlisting. Draughts plavers throughout Australia and New Zealand will regret to hear of the death of Private I'.ranei T. Best, who was filled in action in France on Si arch 26 th. He was many vears draughts champion of Victoria, and lie aDd his brother. Joj> Best, by their pleasant personalities and enthusiasm, did much to popularise the game in Australia.