COURT-MARTIAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2591, 13 October 1915, Page 8

COURT-MARTIAL

ON MAORI SOLDIERS FOUND GUILTY OF DESERTION (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland October 12. Tho trial by court-martial of two members of the Second Maori Reinforcements oil charges of dosortion was held nt Narrow s Ncclc camp this morning. The Court consisted of Lieut.-Colonel Harcourt Turner (president) and Captains llewish and Kitchener. Captain Pullen appeared as prosecutor, and Mr. Biornacki lor one of the accused (Corpl. J. M. Hopa).

Tho first accused, No. 16/979 (Corpl. Jury Martin Hopa), was charged that ho at Narrow Neck, when under orders for embarkation for active service, absented himself without leave from the Second Maori Reinforcements from September 14 until apprehended by the civil police at Topiri on September 24, and that he was then in plain clothes.

The accused pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, in his preliminary address, said that accused was charged with desertion, and it was a fact that this offence had been very rife amongst members of tho Mao-i force. It was specially desired to bring home to Maoris generally that desortion was a serious matter. Tho accused left Narrow Neck, camp on September 14 to attend a. concert at Devouport, and came back at 9 p.m. He went away again to Auckland, and goin£; to tho liouse of a friend named Silva he changed into mufti and caught tho late train to Huntly, afterwards going to tho Maori King at Huntly. Ten days after his desertion he was arrested at Taupiri. In a statement made subsequently lie said ho saw "King" To Rata Mahuta, and the latter told liim that if he signed the book ho would be free. The prosecutor added that lie had subpoenaed the "King" for accused's benefit, but the "King's" statement to him had not corroborated accused's statement in any respect. It was generally believed by the authorities that Maori deserters were being helped by some of their own race, and it was desired_ to detect tho persons carrying on this practice.^ Captain Alexander, main camp adjutant at Narrow Neck, stated in crossqxamination that accused's parents were very koon on buying him out, ami declared they were old and too poor to support themselves. • "King" To Rata Mahuta," wlio was called, stated that tho "book" was at tho pah to put on record tho desires of tho Maoris to be sent'to Dr. Pomare. There was reference to military matters in it.- Those, who wished to join tho j forces may do soj and that those who object may be permitted to_ remain. He did not tell Hopa that if the police came it would be all rifeht, because he had signed the book: Ho had not asked Hooa to write in the book, and Hopa had no right to say he did. Mr. Biernacki said liis defence was that accused was under 20 years of ago. Ho understood the Defence Department had invariably refused to allow men under 20 to go away without their parents' consent, and that this applied to Maoris as well as to white troops. AVaireareta Hopa, accused's mother, stated her soil enlisted without tho ki.owledge of his parents, and they did not hear of it till some weeks later. She immediately wrote to Dr. Pomare to return him to them. Sho came to Auckland to see what could bo done for her son's release, ancl detailed conversation with Captain Peacock, Camp Commander at Narrow Neck, and Captain Main, who told her that if sho paid, expenses sho could expect her boy to be released. She then went away to Waikato to get money (£2B), and when sho returned she handed tho money to her son, who afterwards told Jier Captain Main refused to take it. Accused's father gave corroborative ovidence.

Addressing the Court, Mr. Biemacki pointed out that- accused did not himself wish to leave tho forcc, but deserted in response t-o "the appeals of liis mother.

Captain Peacock, called by the President, stated that some of the Maoris under his charge at Narrow Neck had been "bought out" by their relations. This was allowed only in exceptional circumstances. Probably not more than twenty discharges, had been granted in this way out of 1000 men trained under him at Narrow Neck and Avondale. The Court found accused guilty of desertion, and retired to consider tho sentence. Tho latter will bo communicated to the Judge Advocate-General, and must be confirmed by him before bei»ig made public. THE OTHER CASE. Private Hori Mohi was charged with being absent without leave. Too much liquor had resulted in accused missing tho transport. There was no intention to desert. Accused was found guilty.