TRIAL OF CRAMPTON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 126, 21 February 1919, Page 6

TRIAL OF CRAMPTON

THE EIGHTH CHARGE . FURTHER EVIDENCE GIVEN P . By Telegraph,—Preas Association. Wanganui, February 20. The Crampton court-martial was resumed this morning, when tho eighth charge was heard, alleging that accused permitted' unnecessary forte to compel Private Alister Beaton to do pact drill. Benton said lie. had refused to don a uniform, .and was forcibly dressed, lie not resisting- He declined to lake a rifle, which was then -handcuffed to his wrist. A rope was put round his neck, and lie was dragged round the yard and bumped into the wall. He bled ireoly from tho face. He was dragged round tho yard by the hair, two handfuls ot which came out. He then consented to takd the rifle. Hayuc- trod on his heels to quicken,his step, and Byrne rained punches on his back and neck. When ho had consented to march, Crampton naked if he would put the uniform on. Witness refused, and Crampton ordered him to go round again, and poked him in the ribs with a cane. He fell, to tho ground, and on getting up cannoned into the wall, being nearly knocked out. After more marching,. Crampton asked if he had any complaints to make, and \vitnes3, at nrst refusing lo ansuei, eventually said ho"had none. • , Dr. Anderson said he hftd examined Beaton after the pack drill in the even« inff, and apai't from a slight abrasion, pp the left side of the face, found no bruise or injury. He asked Beaton how thG abrasion had been caused, and Beaton answered something about spooks having done it. Witness was instructed to report on- : the mental condition; of Beaton, who had some theories about being hypnotised, which troubled him. Witness considered these .were assumed, and reported that Beaton was i mentally sound. " . . Quartermaster Kerr Porter said that ho saw Beaton punched and knocked against thfc wall-by Smith and I'armentei7 ...