KNYVETT RE-TRIAL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 359, 10 May 1911, Page 5

KNYVETT RE-TRIAL.

OUTLINE OF THE CHARGE [nv rn.::cß.vPir. —i'R:-:ss association.J Wellington, La3fc Night. The Knyvett case was re-opened this morning, the Court comprising Colonel Heard (President), Lieut.* Colonel Burnett Stuart, Major Me.izies, Major Turner, Captain Roberts, and Lieutenant Thornton. The Judge-Advocate General-Lieut. Col. J. R. Reed was present. Captain Dawson of Auckland acted as accused's "friend." The accused was charged under section 40 of having been guilty of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he commented on the action of his superior officer the Chief of the General Staff in an improper and insubordinate manner. The Judge-Advocate held that as the alleged offence was committed while accused was in the service the accused was amenable to military law. Captain Spencer Smith acted as prosecutor and Mr T. Neave as counsel. Counsel for the prosecution then outlined the charge. The questions were: Did accused write the letter in question, and was that letter in terms likely to prejudice the good order and discipline of the force? The question of provocation was irrelevant, and the truth of the charges made against Colonel Robin did not enter into the case. Knyvett had no further complaint against Colonel Robin's socalled officialism and interference than had any other officer of the New Zealand forces, so there could really be no question of provocation. The prosecution would object to questions dealing with the truth or otherwise of charges against Colonel Robin, as the only question for the Court was the wording of accused's letter. Colonel Wolfe, Officer Commanding the Auckland District, deposed to having received the letter (produced) from Knyvett, and to subsequent proceedings in Auckland. He told Knyvett he must be very careful of the facts, or he would get into trouble. Knyvett could at no time have misunderstood witness. He told him that he considered the letter insubordinate. For the defence Knyvett detailed the proceedings leading up to a letter he despatched to the Minister for Defence, which was the cause of the present case. Cross-examined by Mr Neave, accused said at the time he wrote the letter he thought it was a proper term to say to his superior officer that he was guilty of unexampled ocffiialism, but he would rather not express an opinion now. The court adjourned until this morn-

ing. Wellington, This Day. On resumption of the Court, Colonel Woife said Knyvett was responsible for a very great improvement in No. 1 Company Auckland. Witness thought the incident due to Knyvett's excitable mood when he returned from Wellington, After counsel on both sides had addressed the court, the court closed to consider its decision, which is still pending.