COURT-MARTIAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 19 September 1918, Page 6

COURT-MARTIAL

A CORPORAL ON TRIAL ALLEGED FALSE ACCUSATION . The hearing of the charges brought against Corporal William Arthur d'Oridant, N.Z.M.P., who is alleged to have made a false accusation against Captain C. Gray, Assistant-Provost Marshal, was resumed yesterday before a district court-martial consisting of Lieutenant-Colonel R-. Neave (president)'and Majors E. V. Beyan and A. H. Hollis. Captain Baldwin was the prosecutor and Mr. C.. H. Treadwell represent:d the accused. The cross-examination of Privite Heber Brown, N.Z.M.P., was continued. The witness admitted that lie had had some conversation with a man named Haydon regarding the case during the period when the accused was under close arrest before the trial. Witness had a conversation with Corporal ll'Oridant on September ]3, after the first sitting of the CoWt. The accused then said witness must be very careful what he said at the trial, because "coalies" working on a hulk had heard witness say Captain Gray had been drunk on tho night of August 1. Witness denied he had made such a statement. William George Weston, acting-chief quartermaster of H.M.S. v , stated that shortly after August 1 ho had ft conversation with Corporal d'Oridant in the oharthouse. Tho corporal stated that Captain Gray had been drunk in the launch, that ho had slipped or fallen into the launch at the landing steps, and that he had to be helped on to the steps. The corporal also said lie had drawn the attention of Private Brown to Captain Gray's condition, and Brown had answered, "Yes, yes." The accused appeared to be worried on the occasion o$ $is conversation, and witness thought'this was due to the fact that Corporal d'Oridant had got twenty-eight days' notice. He -sould not remember the actual words of the conversation. D'Oridant made tho accusation against Captain Gray on several occasions. . -

Captain John Cecil Hill, AssistantProvost Marshal, Defence Headquarters, stated that on the night of July 31-Angust 1 there was an alarm about the escape of some prisoners from. Somes Island. Witness ordered the patrol launch to take a party to the island. He went aboard the launch with a party, including the police superintendent, a police constable, and Corporal d'Oridant. The steps at the Glasgow Wharf were very slippery, and the constable slipped and lost his cap and oleotric torch. On August 1 witness told Captain Gray to give d'Oridant 28 days' notice. Three days later he met the corporal, who said he wished to inako a complaint. When told to take his complaint to Captain Gray lie said he wanted 'to reach higher awthority. He proceeded to state he hud several charges to make, and that olio of them was of drunkenness against Captain Gray. Witness saw Captain Gray on the late afternoon of August 1, and his condition was then normal. Captain Gray was an officer of high character and exemplary conduct. To Mr. Trendwell: D'Oridant had been guilty of neglect of duty in leaving the launch in charge of Brown, who could not work it, on tho night of July 31-August 1, without informing Captain Gray. There had been delay owing to the want of a crow when the launch was wanted for the run to Somes Island after the escape of German prisoners. The next ilayhe told Captain Gray to dismiss d'Oridsmt. Witness had heard IVoin Captain Gray that tho corporal'had left the launch in charge of Brown. Coroporal William John Bell, N.Z. M.P., Leonard H. Ford, returned soldier, and Lance-Corporal Philip Lowry, N.Z.M.P., stated they had seen and talked with Captain Gray on the evening of August 1. ■ He had b&n perfectly sober. Lance-Corporal Lowry said that he had been sent with a message Co Captain Gray's residence at 11.15 that oveniug. He was in 'the house about a quarter of an hour. The captain was absolutely normal. Captain Frederick Charles Bell, supplying transport officer at Wellington, also bore witness to the sobriety of Captain Gray. «;' Captain Gray, Assistant-Provost Marshal. Wellington district, was examined at considerable, length. He stated he had been on duty in the city during the forenoon of August.l. Ho ( was on duty on the wharves in the , afternoon uiitil 4.30 p.m. Ho then visited Captain Hill's office, and went home to dinner. He had no alcoholic drink at all during the day. About 9 p.m. lie left his home to go to ,the wharf on duty. lie had no alcoholic liquor at home. He took the launch on a patrol journey round the troopship then in harbour. He slipped when gettiiJK off the launch, and was steadied by Corporal d'Oridant. He took the corporal to the guardroom, and had some conversation with him there regarding his hours of duty on the previous day and night. D'Oridant made a written report the next day. When he got home he found he had lost ii minute-sheet given him by Captain Hill. The minute-sheet, which was before the Court, was left on the table under a newspaper without an envelope, and could have been read by anybody. He rang up the guardroom, and had the paper sent up to , him. This minute referred to the .delay ir. getting a crew for the bout on the night of July 31-Aiunn.t Q. Witness was instructed verbally by Captain Hill to dimiss d'Oridant. and sent the corporal a letter accordingly on August 2. Cross-examined by Mr. Treadwell. Captain Gray said that the accused had not made his accusation through the regular chaniwl to his superior officer, as he had a to do. Witness sent for d'Oridant on Aiiuust 10, in consequence of the remarks made . to Captain Hill, and asked if he had any charge to make'.' The corporal said, "None whatever." He had said on August 2, when informed of his dismissal, that he wanted an inquiry about a certain seruen.nt-ma.jor and "other matters." During the launch trip on the iiiubt of August 1 ho had tho. helm. Fie circled tho troopship and on the second cirek- turned in towards the stern, to spe if any small craft was sheltering there. D'Oridnnt reversed the engines without orders. The witness sheered of? again. The Jniuieh wjis always two or three lengths from the ship. He wondered at the time why the corporal had reversed the engines. There hud been no danger of a collision. The Court adjourned until this morning.