A COURTMARTIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1918, Page 3

A COURTMARTIAL

P. C. WEBB ON TRIAL. [7,'ER PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, This Day. This morning a Trentham Oamp District Court martial was opened on Private P. C. Webb, for refusing to obey a lawful command, given personally by a superior officer. Webb appeared in court with a bulky volume and a bundle of papers He was not represented. When asked.—“Do You object to be tried by this Court Martial,” he answered: “Certainly not.” Asked if objected to shorthand writer, a man in uniform, he said, hi did not object to the man personally. He had some experience of shorthand reporters and strictly objected to any amateur shorthand writer attempting to take down his speeches . In reply to Colonel MacDonald, the Judge Advocate, the shorthand writer said lie had no certificates Webb then formally objected. The Court conferred and decided to overrule the objection, but after 'Colon- ; el MacDonald had expressed the opin- , ion that in fairness to the .-recused, the objection should be allowed, the Court decided to allow it and adjourned till this afternoon, in order to obtain a certificated shorthand writer.

: FURTHER. PROCEEDINGS. ! LATER, i At. tihe Webb Courtanartial, as a i certificated shorthand writer was unavailable when Court resumed, it was decided to proceed with the ease, and the charge was read over. Mr Webb pleaded “Guilty” The Judge advocate pointed out that the plea of guilty meant, the court would pass the sentence and advised Mr Webb to plead “not guilty.” Webb said he was guilty of disobeying orders, but he hoped to showgood reasons for doing so. The Court accepted this as a plea of not guilty'. The case is proceeding.