THE CRAMPTON CASE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16434, 30 January 1919, Page 2

THE CRAMPTON CASE.

OPENINC! OF COURT-MARTIAL (rnESS ASSOCIATION TEI-EGRAU.) WANGANUI, January 29 Tho court-martial of Lieutenant W Crampton was opened this mornii Lieutenant Crampton was represent at the morning's hearing by Mr D. ; Armstrong, acting for Mr Loughnan, Palmerston North. Mr Holland, M.P., applied for p« mission to assist tho prosecutor on t grounds that ho was the instigator tho proceedings. He contended th the first charge was made by him Iteefton in May last, and he had < various occasions since demanded tl court-martial. Mr Armstrong strongly opposed tl application, contending that tho inst gator should be something more than writer of newspaper correspondence f« - the demand for a trial. Tho institute of the proceedings was Crampton hin self. Tho prosecutor (Captain F. Hudsoi j pointed out that the question was 01; of "conferring with," not "assisting the prosecutor. He failed to seo ho he could be assisted very much by M Holland, but ho had no real objectio to the latter sitting with him. The Judge Advocato, Captain Bale win, expressed tho opinion that befor a civilian could sit with the prosecuto 110 would _ have to bo able to give ma terial assistance, and the. Court rulei that Mr Holland was not entitled t sit. Mr Armstrong applied for an adjourn , ment. saying that Crampton had re ceived notice of the proceedings a weel ago. and decided' to engage Mr Lough nan, of Palmerston North, but the lat tor was absent, and Crampton had onl; got into touch with him on Monday last. Since then lie" had had no tim< to prepare his case. One of Cramp ton's most 1 important witnesses (Ser geant Smith) was ill in hospital >ii Hawera, and would not be available foi about ten days. Tho Court adjourned till February 12th, at Wanganui.