NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 104, 5 January 1915, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

AN ACT OF WAR TREASON,

THE CASE AGAINST GAUDIN.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, aJn. 4.

Advices received by the Navua show that F. K. N. Gaudin (who was brought back to New Zealand from Samoa by the Navua to-day), was charged with committing an act of war treason by carrying correspondence from subjects of the enemy to several prisoners' of war, thereby assisting to evade the censorship, also photographs and correspondence intended for the Herald; further, with taking gold coin out of Samoa, contrary to proclamation. The accused pleaded guilty under. mitigating circumstances.

Colonel Logan stated in his evidenco that after the Navua sailed- on her last trip, he sent a wireless to the New r Zealand Government to detain Gaudin and search him for uncensored letters for prisoners of war,' and he received by return mail a number of letters, including two to war prisoners, a packet of photographs and accused's, captain's commission, A. Tattersall, photographer, said that after the mail closed .on October 30, he' asked Gaudin to..take photographic news to the Herald. Gaudin'agreed to take it to oblige .witness. { - " George Westbrboke,, the Herald correspondent, said that as a previous letter had not appeared, and the censor said he had not stopped it, he asked Gaudin to* take a copy of the manuscript. The accused' took the letter to oblige him. ~ K. Hansen, manager of the D.H.P.G., stated that he. had written a letter to Dr. Sehultz, late Governor of Samoa, which it was intended to send through he post in the ordinary way. His clerk, who had since left Samoa, intended to put the letter with Kronfeld's business letters, which were handed*to Gaudin. Klinkmuller, a late German official, stated he handed the letter to Ga'.;din for Mars, Dr. Sehultz's secretary, saying it contained nothing which would get him into trouble. E. Reye, an ex-German official, admitted handing aGudin £2O, partly in gold, to repay Kronf eld for cash disbursed on account of his ward.

HOlxeit, a Germna storekeeper, said that lie gave Gaudin £lO3 in gold a« part payment of a debt of £4OO. The Crown Prosecutor said that before the ease was fixed he harl taken a serious view of the charges, but this now had bo ■ modified in favour of the accused. However, it had been proved that war treason had been committed in a minor degree. After hearing evidence as to the accused's character, the Court sentencd him to five years. THE TRENTHAM CAMP. HUTS TO REPLACE TENTS. WELLINGTON, Jan. 4. In view of the fact that the reinforcements' camp at Trentham is to be continued throughout the war, the Defence authorities are now considering the question of erecting permanent huts for the men in place of the present tents. Such, it is considered, will not only provide greatly improved comfort for the men, but will also prove more economical, as with the winds that blow at Trentham'the cost of repairs to the tents is rendered abnormal. CHRISTIAN STUDENTS' CONFERENCE. WAIMATE, Jan. 4. The Christian Students' summer conference at Waimate continues its sittings. Considerable emphasis has been placed on the necessity of social service and also on the responsibility ■' of the student movement for missionary effort. Responsibility of every kind has been the keynote of the conference. COMMERCIAL. LAMB SALES. TIMARU, Jan. 4. Th first lamb sale after the opening of the freezing season was held to-day at Pleasant Point. About 4000 were yarded. Most of the exporting firms were represented, and bidding was keen throughout. The top line fetched 23/7, and the average price is said to be about 6:}d. There was a largo attendance of sheep farmers to see how the sale would g<. Stores we.e net in demand, as feed is sarce. THE RUAHINE MURDER. ROTTERMAN REMANDED TO WANGANUT. WELLINGTON, Jan. 3. Arthur Rottermnn, charged with murder, apeared at Court this morning and was remanded to appear at Wanganui on the 12th inst.