THE WAIKATO ENGINEER CORPS AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1669, 24 June 1875, Page 2

THE WAIKATO ENGINEER CORPS AGAIN.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.) Sir, —As the Press has already laid bare to the public the peculations committed by Government officers of the Waikato Engineer Militia, I beg to illustrate in a brief manner the rowdy conduct of another officer of the same corps. Whilst serving as a sapper in No. 1 Company last year, I and two comrades had the misfortune to unwittingly offend by neslectipg to salute him when passing, owing to. the dimness of light, the time, being long after sunset. This officer, being mounted, suddenly wheeled about, ordered us to halt, turn about, and march up and down the highway, saluting him each time of repassing him—he using threatening and bullying language the while. I was considering whether or not to decamp and le,ave him, as our persecutor was unmistakeably drunk, wheu suddenly an escort appeared from a turn in the road, who were taking a sapper to jail by this officer's orders, for having exposed his person. The gallant at once ordered the serjeant of the escort to make us prisoners, one of my two comrades made his escape, the other and myself submitted to capture, and were marched to camp and given over to our immediate commanding officer who on learning the facts of the, case released us. I was naturally somewhat riled and complained to my officer formally in writing of such treatment, who in a few minutes attended me with my report in his hand, and told me he had no doubt of the truth of the same as lie had just turned

out of his quarters for disgraceful conduct; viz., the same offence as the sapper sentenced to gaol. As I received no acknowledgement from I reported the matter to the Defence Department, who sent to enquire into the charge, and which he did in a yery satisfactory manner to the accused, by informing the witnesses that they need, not tell

anything, or answer any questions unless they thought fit. The witnesses saw at once that the least said the soonest mended, but nevertheless what they did say proved my assertion that was both rowdy and, drunk on the night in question. As is usually the case the affair was hushed up, and the accused still holds his position in the corps. —I am, &c, Peter Fawcbtt, late sapper E.V.M.