COURT MARTIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1932, Page 6

COURT MARTIAL

NAVAL OFFICER CHARGED. NEGLIGENCE OF HIS DUTY. (Per Press Association — Copyright.)' AUCKLAND, .September 20. A court martial was held at theDtevonport naval depot to-day, wheat' Potty Officer Samuel George Adams, a supply-petty officer of H.M.S. Laburnum, wais charged with improperly leaving his ship at Wellington on May 15, and also (1) between January 1 and May 13/ 1932, negligently per--forming his duty "by failing to keep; liis books properly; (2) Between November 2, 1931, avid May 13, 1932, negligently 'performing his '. duty * by failing to hand over to the supply officer £l7 lls 10d, paat of the sum of £IOB 10s lid received by him for clothing (stores; (3) Fraudulently converting £l7 lls lOd. Accused was represented by a civilian counsel. The president of the Ooiirt was Captain M. J. D. De Meric. The judge advocate, PaymasterCommandiar Durman, read a -.letter from Commander Rambottom, of the Laburnum. Outlining the ease he, said, it h : ad been .found there, was a net deficiency of £69 in the stores, and from, accounts received from an hotel, it appeared that Adams had been living in a manner which he could not ..afford. :i rj ; ; o,

Counsel for accused objected -Ao the latter statement, but the Court ...admitted. it. . , .»k«sa a

Evidence was given by .Swi’.georo-' Lieut. Bur don that he .examined- ac ? . bused on May'ld last, and found. .him suffering from acute neuaii/sthoj.vja. largely caused by excessive alcqho|. . Chief petty Officer Abbott said that when he. ‘brought accused back on hoard he admitted having left the. ship, hut said that he did not know how he. had got ashore. He said: “I suppose I shlaffl have to go ‘under the hammed now-”

. Evidence, regarding the account*?,; of the Laburnum was then taken.. There are over one hundred witnesses, and the proceedings may last for several days.. Accused pleads not guilty to all charges. .