MOTUIHI ESCAPE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 120, 7 February 1918, Page 6

MOTUIHI ESCAPE

THE INQUIRY CONTINUES MAY SIT IN WELLINGTON AN-INTERESTING LETTER By Telegraph—Press Association. • Auckland, February 6. At the court-martial on the charges against Colonol .Paterson, in connection with tho escape' of German prisoners from Motuihi, Colonel Paterson ' •,- '• stated that when Colonel Turner took over charge of Motuihi Colonel Turner ■ did not consult witness in any way with regard to instruction, but was to deaL direct ifith Auckland for supplies. Witness took it that meant that witness was to supply the porsonnel and the guard. Witness produced a letter written from Headquarters, Wellington, by Colonel Tate, on June 21, 1917, w'hicn read:— I am very troubled about the internment establishment at Motuihi, Island, and I havo never had time to come up and seo it for my- .. self. I must take tho responsibility for the whole show. : . I should be very much obliged if you would make a searching inspection, and keep a olose supervision on it, and let me know what you think. It would be a great comfort to me if I knew that if trouble does arise I could refer to you for replies to questions, oto. It is probable you Way have taken considerable interest in it, and are apprised of everything already, and i hope this : ' is so. Anyhow, keep a sharp lookout, and let me know, if you can, of snags that may bfl expected. Very kind regards. I do wish I could come to see you, but that seems hopeless at present. . . Witness said tho phrase,in the let- • ter "I must take the responsibility for tho wholo show," corresponded with his views exactly at that time. The prisoners from tho Seo Adler had not been placed on the island, and the guard had not been reduced. Witness did not interfere with the internal work on the island, nor did he — consider he had any control over Colonel Turner's launoh, but he had advised Colonel Turner to keep the engine out of action except when in nso. Colonel Paterson, cross-examined, said that he never officially inspected ■the island. Mr. Meredith: What do you mean by the statement that prior to Col- . onel Turner's appointment you had considerable trouble with the island, and now you had none? —"Simply that at that time I was Coast Defence Commander." Did any conversation with General Robin lead you to tell him that you were not responsible for the island?— "No." From wfiom did you learn that you and Colonel Turner were to confer in . regard to the question of the guard?— "From Colonel Turner." Did you inspect tho island to ascertain what was necessary?—" No." Why?—."Because Colonel Turner ■was the man who had to bo satisfied, not myself." You exercised no responsibility in the matter at all?—" That is so." Have you ever discussed the question ■ of the guard with General Robin?— "No.- When Colonel Turner was ab- ■ ' sent twenty days in one month on courts-martial, it was not under witness's instructions. Me arranged with Colonel Turner by telephone that witness was to be rung up at certain hours in tho night. By mutual arrangement , witness issued passes. Witness had no authority to- overrule. Colonel ■Turner." Mr. Meredith:" Did you ever make a request for the removal of the See Adler prisoners?—" Yes. 1 made a request to the 0.C., and I also discussed the matter with Major Lilly and ■ Colonel Tate." And Colonel Tate told you that they were there, and that you would have to keep them ?—' 'He told me he did not know, where to put the files froi:: dis--trict headquarters" (produced). Major Price (president) quoted from these letters, dated March 14, 1917, Addressed to the Commandant at Motuihi, signed by Colonel Dyer, in , which it was stated: "Visitors must please note that from this date no ■women are to visit the island without special authority from the officer commanding the district." This authority was alone.to be granted by the O.C. district. Colonel Paterson staied that he had Ho knowledge of the letter being written, hut probably' it was written at .the request of Colonel Turner to pkco the prohibition on record. Wnen' the midday adjournment was takeii the president announced that there was a possibility i that next week the Court would have to adjourn to (Wellington to tako necessary evidence i. there.

Continuing his evidence, Colonal.Paterson said that he did not take any direct action- as a "result of the Minister's statement about the guard not toeing armed: He did not give Colonel Turner permission to have the launch at Motuihi, though he'menoioiied tno launch to him, as he considered it a danger. Witness, did not report the matter to Wellington;-.as he considered it not within his province. Major Osburne Lilly, Director of Personal Services, said that he-received weekly reports from Motuihi. ' Tho Chief of the General Staff generally decided where prisoners of war should be located. Up to the time of the first Court of Inquiry witness considered that District Headquarters was responsible for supplying the guard at Motuihi. His first visit to the island was

made in reference to matters which were the subject of correspondence between Colonel Turner, .and Headquarters, Wellington. His second visit was a result of inquiries by the Minister. Witness was much worried about Motuihi, especially about tho guard being unarmed. He was quite definite that he told Colonel Tumor that the responsibility of safely guarding the men was Colonel Turner's pigeon. He emphasised the necessity of, visual signalling apparatus on tho island in caso the telephone was cut. He told Colonel Turner that the guard should be armed: that was morcly-.a suggestion, not an order. Witness considered it the duty of District Headquarters to find an extra ten men if demanded by the Commandant. There was no necessity for witness to report on hisvisit as General Robin had already visited tho island and reported to the Minister. Witness- did "not question Colonel Turner's being detailed for coiirt-martial duty, because ho considered Colonel Turner under the control of District Headouarters.

Replying to Dr. Bamford, witness said that his duties did not include matters regarding the safe custody of prisoners. He had considered that District Headquarters was .in direct control of Motuilii up to the time ho saw Colonel Turner's letter of appointment. Dr. Bamford: "When you say you were concerned about affairs at Motuihi, did you consider that District Haadfjuartaro were' not doing their •duty —"No." Colonel Turner, then?—" Yes. I thought he was' not doing all he should." If District Headquarters were responsible, was it a regular proceeding, rr otherwise, for you to discuss Motuilii matters with Colonel Turner in person?—"lt may have been indiscreet." Replying to the president, Major ■Lilly said that he did not know who was responsible for transferring Von

Luckner to Motuihi. Any traiißfcr should have gone through witness. Ho did not receive a complaint regarding Erdmann's transfer. On November 18 a verbal application was made by Captain Hall-Thompson for Krdmann to bo sent as orderly to Von Luclcner. Witness referred the matter to Colonel Gibbon, who approved. Tho Court adjourned till to-morrow.