TO THE SOUND OF JAZZ

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 320, 3 April 1928, Page 11

TO THE SOUND OF JAZZ

A Court-Martial Irony “WAY THEY HAVE IN THE NAVY” By Cable. —Prcts Association. — Copyright. Reed. 10.15 a.m. LONDON, Monday. THERE was an ironical coincidence daring the Rcyal Oak court-martial at Gibraltar, when strains of jazz floated into the court while Commander Daniel was recounting dance incidents, in which Rear-Admiral Collard said that if Daniel did not order the marine band off the quarterdeck, he would do it himself.

| satisfied himself that the bandmaster’s grievance was that | Admiral Collard called him a . Daniel described Admiral Collard’s landing at Malta, where there was no doubt that the admiral did not return his salute. A member of the court: What was J your impression of Admiral Collard’s behaviour on this occasion? I Commander Daniel replied that it j was a deliberate insult. In reference to his action in reading to his brother officers a letter criticising Admiral Collard’s conduct, Commander Daniel said he read out in the wardroom the phrase, “The wardroom is inflamed with indignation.” All agreed that he had not overstated the case. At the opening of the sitting of the court-martial, the JudgeAdvocate said he desired to impress on the court that much of Admiral Collard’s evidence on Saturday was inadmissable, because it related .to conversations between him, Captain Dewar and others, at which Commander Daniel was not present. The court had not tried to stop Admiral Collard, because it desired to afford the defence every latitude. Permission was then obtained for Daniel to give evidence. Daniel, further recounting the dance incidents, asserted that Admiral Collard, addressing the bandmaster, said: “You call yourself a flagship band fit to be in a rear-admiral’s flagship. I have never heard such a awful noise in all my life. It’s like a dirge. I’ll have you sent home to-morrow.” Collard later told the witness, “I

cannot have a like that on my ship.” Daniel said that Collard spoke loudly, and several people heard him, including ladies and officers’ guests. Later, the admiral called witness to his cabin, saying: “The chaplain has accused me of calling the bandmaster a . I didn’t, did I?” Daniel said, “You referred to the bandmaster as a in mine, the band’s and the ladies’ hearing.” The admiral then became angry and said it was a lie. Such accusations would involve a court-martial about a flag officer. “A D NASTY HOLE” Daniel, in evidence, continued: “He asked how dared I say such a thing. I replied, ‘Nothing, sir, will budge me from the statement. Would I make these statements at this stage of my career if you had left any possible room for doubt about what you said?” “I then proposed to Collard that, in order to avoid a scandal, I should have the carte blanche to make the best redress possible to the individuals entitled to it. The admiral wished me success. “I left the cabin and spoke to the major of marines, and told him I would take it upon myself to accept a full apology from the admiral. The major said, T place myself in the captain’s and your hands. If you are satisfied, I shall be glad not to have to press the matter.’ ” Daniel said he reported these views to Collard, who praised his tact, and concluded by saying, “Thanks very much for getting me out of a damned nasty hole.” Witness said that after that his relations with Collard were most cordial.—A. and N.Z.