THE MOTUIHI ESCAPE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16143, 22 February 1918, Page 6

THE MOTUIHI ESCAPE.

FINDING OF COURT-MARTIAL

LIEUT.-COL. TURNER DISMISSED

FROM DEFENCE FORCES

(fIIESS association" telegram.)

AUCKLAND, February 21

Tho sentence of tho court-martial oO Lieut.-Col. Charles Hareourt- Tumor, ex-commandant of tho Motuihi internment camp, in connexion with the escape of 10 German prisoners of war and cup German civilian firisoner, has been promulgated.

The charge upon which Lieut-Col. Turner was tried -was laid under Section -0 (2) of the Army Act, and was as e<ot out in the following charge sheet:—

The accused. Lieut.-Col. Charles Harcourt Turner, sth (.Wellington) Regiment, being a member of tho Defence Forces of New Zenlaud, is charged with: —

(1) "Without reasonable excuse allowing tho escape of persons committed to bis charge, in that he, at- Motuihi Island, on or about the 13th day of Delembcr, 1917, while commandant of the said island and having care, charge, and custody upon tho said island of certain prisoners of war and interned .alien enemies, to wit, one Lieut.-Commander Count von Luckncr, Lieut. Kirscheiss, "Wireless Operator (Irun, Wireless Enguuer Freund, Naval Cadets von Zalqrski, Paulsen, Schmidt, Mellert, and Tvlohn, Seaman Erdniann, and ono von Kgidy, Samonn Government official, allowed the said Commander Count von Luckncr and tho others mentionod. being prisoners of war or interned alien enemies, to obtain possession of a launch and make other preparations for their escape without taking reasonable means to prevent it. and thus permitted the escape of the said Liout.-Cbmniander Count von Luekner and other porsons mentioned.

(2) Without reasonable excuse allowing the escano of persons whom It was Ins duty to keep, in having dono the nets alleged in tho particulars of the nrst charge. W) Without reasonable oxcuso allowing the escape of persons whom ifc was lus duty to jniard, in having dono tho charge m I>articulars to t'lo first

Ihe Court found Lieut.-Col. Turner guilty on the first charge, and mt guiltv on the second and third charges. He was sentenced to be dismissed from tJie 1/etence Forces, under Section 23 of S.. Defence Act Amendment Act, 1912. The sentence has been confirmed bv Ma.jor-General Sir A. W. Robin Commandant of the N.Z Force's