MOREALLEGATIONS OF LOOTING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 5

MOREALLEGATIONS OF LOOTING

AUSTRALIAN OFFICER COURTMARTIALLED

Sydney, May 21. Before the Court-martial, Captain Babbiugton Ravenscroft appeared on three charges of three counts each of stealing and receiving a camera, a chronometer, and a typewriter, the property of persons unknown. Ravenscrofii was appointed Provost-Marshal at Rabaul, a position entailing control of a large amount of German, property. The articles were discovered in Ravenscroft & possossion upon returning to Sydney. 'The Court dismissed the charges regarding the typewriter and chronometer. Ravenscroft'in defence stated that the strictest inquiry was made for ths owner of the camera, but- they failed to find him. He was under the belief that he or any other, officer or man could take any 'property they found in a private house if the owner was not to be found. . , The Court's verdict was not guilty, on all charges. STATEMENT IN FEDERAL SENATE 1 FALSE ALLEGATIONS BY PRIVATE SOLDIER. Melbourne, May 21. In the Federal Senate Senator Pearce, Minister for Defence, replying to questions regarding the alleged misappropriations of goods at Rabaiil, said that tho private who made the ehargos had since signed an admission that tin,charges were untrue. The editor of the newspaper whicli published the charges stated that lie had no evidence to support the rebuttal of them. He added that the charges were of a weak character, and he did not appear to realise tho seriousness of tho statements. The sole punishment ho received was a primand.