AVOIDING MILITARY DUTY.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3277, 27 June 1917, Page 4

AVOIDING MILITARY DUTY.

TWO MEN FROM OAMARU PLEAD

GUILTY

Auckland, June 26

Roy Benjamin Berry, aged 23, and Arthur John Brunie, aged 20, in the Police Court to-day admitted a charge of attempting to leave New Zealand without passports. The evidence showed that accused were cousins, and came to Auckland a .week ago from Oiri.aru.

They approached a Customs official, and offered a bribe of £50 for an introduction to someone on tho ship who could get them away to Australia, and promising £150 to the person on tho ship. An introduction was arranged, and they got aboard %vith theii luggage, after giving the Customs official £5 and a cheque for £20. and tho person on the ship £20 and a cheque for £100.

Soon after they were arrested, and made a clean breast of the whole matter. Berry had £6 5s lOd in cash, and Brunie 12s. A letter in Berry's possession showed that they intended to take assumed names, and that moneys coming to them should bo converted into bank notes of large denominations and forwarded by mail. Biunie had been drawn in the second bpilot. Berry had not yet been drawn.

For the defence, it was stated that Berry had g o t into financial difficulties, which he wished to escape. Both won prepared to enlist. Berry was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Brunie, who was under 20 when drawn in the ballot, was remanded till Thursday, to enablo him to enlist.