MOTUIHI AFFAIR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 119, 6 February 1918, Page 7

MOTUIHI AFFAIR

. WHOSE THE RESPONSIBILITY ? COURT OF INQUIRY ■ By Tolegraph—Press Association. Auckland, February o. The Court of Inquiry to dfitermino the responsibility of . Coloner Paterson. and Major Osburne Lilly in respect of' tho escape of -the German prisoners from Motuihi was continued to-day. Dr. Bamford represented Colonel Pat.erson, and Mr. V. R. Meredith appeared for Major Lilly. Colonel Turner, cross-examined, stated that the reduction mode in the strength of tha guard was the direct outcome .of a suggestion by General Robin. The first application for an jjicrease in the guard was made to District Headquarters. During the ■scare he had no authority to increase "the guard on his own account, authorisation of pay being the difficulty. When Major Lilly visited the island in •December ho made no suggestion about increasing tha guard. Re-examined by Sir. Meredith, Colonel Turner stated that he regarded General Robin's suggestion in reference to the reduction of the guard as a command. ■ ( Did you' ever get a direct order from Colonel Paterson?—."Never in connection with the protection of prisoners." You are awara that that 13 in contradistinction of the opinion held by General. Robin? Witness replied that that was his opinion. The statement was contrary to tho orders lie had received. ' Did you see Oblonel Paterson often? I nsver came into town without calling at District Headquarters, and Colonel Paterson frequently visited the island purely in a friendly rway," ,• - Then he would not • be officially feware of the internal working of the /island?^—''lf he had he would have inquired more into it." *And you never made a report to Colonel Paterson on the island?—"l wouldn't say that. Colonel Tate on •one occasion -wrote.to Colonel Paterson regarding, tho island, and asked ■certain questions. about which I was asked." . l)id you not think it strange that Colonel Tate' should write to District Headquarters instead-of to you?—"I did think it a little strange." ■ ■ Did it not strike you that you might have made a mistake in regard to the question of to whom you were responsible?—"No, it did not." ; It never occurred to you that Colonel Paterson's visits were visits of inspection ?—"No.^ How do you account for. the..state : •■ment in a letter.from Colonel Paterson to Colonel Tata in. June, 1917, to (.the effect that-, since Colonel Turner W had command of the island there >aad been no worry?—"lf he had no control, it doesn't say that he had. no ■ worry. In any case, formerly ; Colland >> rSOn was in clm rge of tho isWith regard to the system ,of rin Kjlng up Colonel ■ Paterson at night, were those instructions, or not?—"Nothey were not instructions.' It was more a matter of suggestion." 1 In regard to the reduction of . the CTard, General Robin referred, you to JJistrict Headquarters? — "General Robm asked me to. discuss the matter Svitli 'Colonel Paterson." He did not suggest that you should discuss it with. Headquarters,' Wellington?—" No." ; ° _ Can you suggest why -Headquarters, Wellington, was left out?—'' That was & matter for General Robin." Who issued passes for the island?— in n ' arid occasionally the 0.C.D..'. . You havo always, objected to these .visitors. Why did yon not stop it?— ''Because-in the early stages'! had not knowledge which warranted nie refusing passes. As a matter of fact, 1 .thought Colonel Paterson might interview some of these people and see if passes ~should be granted to them." Why did you refer to Colonel Paterson when you refused a pass lo Mrs. Langgiith?—"l really don't know now." ;' , Why- did you send her to Colonel Paterson if you refused her a pass?— "I cannot say." ' ' Did you report to Headquarters about Mrs. Langguth at that time?— "No." . '' ' • Did you' take any steps to let the Minister know that you objected to Mrs. Langguth?—"No." Why did you not?—" Following the permission.granted by tho Minister for Mrs. Langguth to' visit die island, I took the letter as an .instruction.'' In what direction did you consider there was inadequacy ?—"ln all directions." : - The launch was a source of danger? ■—"Yes." " ' You could.have, reduced your danger by getting rid of the launch ?

The president: This does not affect tho question of whether he is responsible to District Headquarters or to Headquarters. Mr.j Meredith: My object is to bring proof in regard to tho .jiiestion or whether Major Lilly, was aware of the suggested inadequacy of the precautions. The president, after consulting with the Court, said the question should be confined'to who was responsible for the authority'.to keep the launch. I think we can take it that there were two inadequacies: the question of the guard and the launch. The question then is: Who" was responsible for seeing that those inadequacies were rectified? Dr. Bamford: Is, it not a faot, Colonel Turner, that with regard to'a certain alien in Auckland you received instructions from Headquarters, Wellington, not to allow him to visit the island?—"l believe I did."