MILITARY COURT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1680, 21 February 1913, Page 6

MILITARY COURT.

RECENT MASTERTON STRIKE. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Mastorton, February 20. A Court of Inquiry was held to-night by Lie,ut.-Colonel Tate \and , Brigado Majors Hamilton and Foster into the circumstances surrounding tho territorial strike, which occurred here on November 29 last. _ ■

Evidence was given at length by Lieut. Wilson, officer commanding the company. Ho deposed that 'he and Lieut.-'Morton wero absent from parado on the night of the incidont. Ho had himself granted leave to Lieut. Morton. The reason why lie (Lieut. Wilson) had absented himself was that ho was dissatisfied with certain matters, and had sent in his resignation. Since the incident occurred he had asked that his resignation be withdrawn. He was not aware of the intention of tho men to go on strike, though he had learned that they were dissatisfied at the appointment of. Lieut. Hirschberg. Ho was surprised at tho appointment himself, as he was not consulted in tho matter. 110 had learned that tho reason why the men had gone off parade was that they were dissatisfied with the appointment of Lieut. Hirshbcrg. He kneir that social or political influence was being used in the appointment. Three privates,, who went on strike, were called upon, and each gave evidence that tho reason for their going off parade was that they did not consider Lieut. Hirschberg fit' for the position of lieutenant. None of them- thought that social or -political influence had been used. The evidence was read over to the remaining men who apparently-endorsed it. v Major Skey deposed that he had made the appointment of Lieut. Hirschberg on the recommendation of Captain' Braddell and Major Cook.' He had not seen L-'eut. Hirschberg, arid knew of no social or political influence . being used. Major Cook deposed that he had been asked if lie could recommend Hirschberg for a commission. Hirschberg - was a private in the Ambnlanco- Corps, and -lie had had no hesitation in recommending him.. No social or (political consideration influenced his recommendation;

Captain Braddell gnveevidence that he had a3ked Maior Cook about Second Lieut. Hirschberg deposed that he had had six years' service in the cadets and two in the Wanganui Colleps Cadets. He had also b?eri a private m tho Ambulance Corps for some months. He had asked for a commission in the senior cadets, and that this had been refused as L'eut. Welch objected. He had not applied for a commission in -the territorials. That had coma to him 'unsolicited.'. Ho had used no influence, political or otherwise.

Lii>itt. Welch' de-posed that he had refuse'd to sign a paper recommending Hirschberg for anpointrnent as an officer in the senior cadets, because he did not know his qualifications, and had not been consulted. The paners had been signed by Major Cook and Captain Braddell. This was the whole of the evidence. Lieut.-Colonel, Tate stated that the evidence would be sent on the officer commanding the district, who would tako what steps he might think fit.