MOTUIHI COURT-MARTIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1783, 31 January 1918, Page 3

MOTUIHI COURT-MARTIAL.

COLONEL TURNER'S ALLEGED

NEGLECT

Auckland, Jan. 30,

The Court-martial investigating the charges against Colonel Harcoiirt Turner, in connection with the escape of the German prisoners from Motuihi, was resumed this morning.

The Crown Prosecutor, in opening' the case, alluded to the alternative charge against Colonel Turner, that without reasonable excuse he allowed the prisoners to escape. The Crown Prosecutor said that what was alleged was that by some reckless omission he allowed them to get away. The definition of negligence was doing something that no reasonable man would do. Colonel Turner had slated that his practice was to tell the Germans to bring a sparking plug from the motor launch to his office. Apparently lie was oblivious to all movements of the prisoners, and knew nothing till they brought the sparking plug. ITe left them free and uncontrolled. Major L. 1 .illy gave evidence that Colonel Turner, in his report On the escape of the prisoners, staled that he usually personally looked to see if (he launch was moored fast to the moorings, hut on this oeeasion he had not dime so. It had been his practice to (ell the prisoners to bring the sparking plugs to him, and on this occasion ho omitted to do so. He also omitted to see that the launch was made fast at the moorings. Cross-examined, witness ruled that he was not in charge of the prisoners, (hough it was his duty to deal with them. As to prisoner Erdmau, witness said that he knew the Minister had forbidden his transfer to Montihi, yet had sent: him there. The instructions for the transfer emanated from Colonel Hall Thompson.