COLONEL CHARGED WITH LOOTING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2460, 13 May 1915, Page 5

COLONEL CHARGED WITH LOOTING

HONOURABLY ACQUITTED (Rec. May 12,' 10 p.m.) Sydney, May 12. The court-martial to try 6everal officers and men of the New Guinea Expeditionary Force on charges of alleged looting was opened'to-day Colonel Patton was charged on sis counts of stealing and' receiving goods from tho captured ' German vessel Komet, consisting of a quantity of plated ware, and other table furnishings. Three of the charges wore withdrawn. .Colonel Patton pleaded not guilty to all tho charges. ' Counsel assisting the prosecution admitted that Colonel Patton had been perfectly frank, and had given every, assistance in investigating the matter. The value of the articles involved, which had been handed over to the Commonwealth Government, was 10s. '• Colonel Holmes, commander of tho Expeditionary Force, gave evidence that he issued instructions to the officers that great care should be taken to safeguard private property.' He described Colonel Patton in these words: "No finer soldier or more honourable man ever existed." Colonel Patton, in his evidence,- said that ho was in charge of the expedition which captured the Komet. After returning to Rabaul tho paymaster asked Mm if he would like a memento of the expedition, and ho said he would be deliglfted. Later tho articles forming the basis of the charges were sent to his room. He made no secret of'liaving them. He understood it was'invariably the practice for soldiers to take away some little souvenir. The Court found Colonel Patton not guilty, and he was honourably acquit* ted. In the case Sergeant Anderson, tho prosecutor said he had no evidence to offer in support of the charges. Sergeant Audorson was honourably, acquitted. '