AN UNWILLING SOLDIER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 173, 27 August 1914, Page 9

AN UNWILLING SOLDIER.

LEAVES THE CAMP. Eobert Yesey was charged with the theft of a bicycle on the 25th inst., valued at £ls, the property of Clarence William Close. The accused, when answering the usual question, replied: "Guilty on the. charge,.but not on conscience." Chief Detective Bishop: lie belong to the Expeditionary Force, which he joined on Tuesday. He was given accoutrements, andUhen cleared out from the camp—deserted. . Mr Bishop: he sworn in? The Chief Detective: Yes. Mr Bishop: Don't they want him now?—No; they won't have him. Where is the uniform ?—He's got it on. And the rifle?— That's at a house in St. Albans. He joined and cleared out. What did he leave for?—He said something this morning about a girl not wishing him to go. ... Oh! He thinks more of his girl than of his country.—He's an ex-Burnham boy. Where's the bicycle?—He stole it from outside the Post Office, and afterwards tried to sell it, but it has been recovered. He must have a record. —No. But he must have a record if lie is a Burnham boy. There are no indigent boys there. —He is an orphan, and Was put in a home in the North Island. Rev. F. Rule: He was first sent to Weraroa. Yesey: I was sent out to work, and was treated badly. j Mr Bishop: You were treated badly •in camp, too, I suppose.—No, sir. did you leave'?—l don't know. How old are you?-—Twenty-one. The Chief; Detective: You might order him to come up for sentence when called upon: Mr Bishop: He V got absolutely no merit at all. \esev: 1 was out of work, and I've got no home. I had to pay board. I was going back'to the camp. I didn't want anyone to know my position. Yesey was convicted and ordered to come up for. sentence, he having expressed las willingness to go to the Salvation Armf Home.