THE MOTUIHI AFFAIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1918, Page 5

THE MOTUIHI AFFAIR.

COURT-MARTIAL ON COL. TURNER. By Telegraph.—PreßS Association. Auckland, Jan. 31. At the court-martial to-day, Major Lilly stated that there was no application on the file from Colonel Turner for an increase to the guard at Motuihi. He took it the responsibility for the guard lay with Colonel Turner and district headquarters. Witness claimed to have no control over Colonel Turner. The President: In the instructions to Colonel Turner it' was stated that he must apply to district headquarters to requisition a guard. In view of that would you be surprised to find a request for an increase in the guard on your file? Witness: Yes, I would. Auckland, Last Night. After argument the court retired to consider the points raised by Mr. Pullen, and on resuming announced that it disallowed all the objections. Mr. Pullen called General Robin, who stated he had ordered the court-martial. He did not know who had cancelled the order of the Minister of Defence, but Erdmann was not to be sent to Motuihi. When witness visited Motuihi during the scare ho did discuss the scare with Col. Turner. He did not know of the existence of Turner's request for ten more men and a subaltern, which had been forwarded to general headquarters by the district headquarters. Turner's commanding officer was O.C. of the district. Witness remembered meeting Turner in Wellington, in July, when they discussed the question of economy. Turner was referred to the O.C. of the district, to see what economy could be effected. At that time witness considered the guard was amply sufficient. Military policemen should have been able to guard the prisoners on the island. He did not suggest to Turner that he should reduce the guard, but that he should consider the matter. The proper channel for communication with Colonel Turner, as commandant of Motuihi, was through the O.C. of the district. Turner had a private launch. He suggested to Turner that he should always take care that the launch's, engines were put out of action when he was not using the launch. To Mr. Tole: The discussion regarding economy was purely suggestive. He directed Turner to consult Colonel Patterson. Turner never informed him that the guard was insufficient. Witness would have supposed that Colonel Patterson, if he Avas O.C. of the district, would have increased the guards. The enquiry was adjourned till tomorrow.