THE MOTUIHI INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1917, Page 5

THE MOTUIHI INQUIRY.

THE GERMANS' POOD SUPPLY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Dec. 24. At the Motuihi enquiry, 'SergeantMajor Keogh gave evidence that the Germane took with them forty fowls and two turkeys prepared- in concentrated form, similar to meat extract, besides 400 yolks of eggs in a spirit distilled from jam, four kerosene tins of boiled water and a supply of bombs made by them on the island. The fowls were kept by the prisoners as their own property on the island. Colonel Patterson, commanding the Auckland military district, gave evidence that when Lieut.-Colonel Turner took over Motuihi he did not consult witness as to coast defence. The commander, probably owing to instructions from Col. Turner, would deal with headquarters at Wellington regarding prisoners of war. After Sir James Allen visited Motuihi on November 10 he called on witness. Sir James Allen was much concerned about the guard not being armed. A few days later, after General Robins' visit, witness told Colonel Turner there was a probability of the prisoners trying to escape, and informed 'him that some launches would patrol round the island. On November 23 witness sent a secret letter, [n December he interviewed Colonel Tate, at Wellington, and to'.d him he was much concerned about the two See j;\dler officers at Motuihi, who were too resourceful and venturesome. The removal of these two prisoners was one of the recommendations in his letter. Major Tnit replied (,liat they were naval officers and entitled to be treated as lirst-elass prisoners. When Major Lilly visited Auckland on December 1 witness mentioned the removal of the See Adler ollicers, and Lilly said hu would take the matter up when he returned to Wellington. DAYLIGHT ESCAPE NOT ANTICIPATED. Auckland, Dee. 24. At the Motuihi inquiry, continuing his evidence, Colonel Patterson stated that before leaving for Wellington, two days before the escape, he impressed on Col. ■Turner the necessity of vigilance in regard to the launch at Motuihi. Discussing tho sea patrolling arrangements, witness? said a daylight escape was not anticipated, and all patrolling was confined to tho hours of darkness.

Evidence was given by Scrgeant-Majot Keogh that the prisoners took from the island forty fowls and two turkeys, prepared in concentrated form similar to meat extract, 400 yolks of eggs preserved in spirit, which t'hev had distilled from jam, four tins of boiied wate£*a'nd aV»o, ho believed, flour and sugar. They also took on the launch a supply of bombs Which they had manufactured on tho island.

Private Hope-Johnston said that while on guard duty on the evening of the escape he saw Erdrtann and Schmidt, two of the escapees, driving the camp cart to the wharf, but he did not stop them. r The inanity was adjourned.