THE MOTUIHI AFFAIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1918, Page 4

THE MOTUIHI AFFAIR.

COURT-MARTIAL CLOSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Feb. 2. At the court-martial to day, Mr. J. R. Reed, K.C., Jmlge-Advocate-Gencral, summed up, following which the Court closed for consideration of its verdict. When the court re-opened, 1 Captain Baldwin, prosecutor, gave formal evidence regarding the character of accused. The court then closed again. The finding will be promulgated when confirmed by the confirming authority. FURTHER EVIDENCE. Auckland, Feb. 2. .Indge-Advocate Reed said he would like to make a statement, which was due not only to the Minister, but to Mrs. Langguth. Information had been communicated to him which, if correct, put a different aspect upon the permit leged to have been given by the Minister. It was inu'.i.'iaablc to discuss the matter at present, as an enquiry would be held, when it was probable that the necessary explanation would be made. The court expressed a desire tp; put 'ijpstions to Private Hope Johnston, who-was not available yesterday.

Colonel Frederick asked why he Jeft Tower Hill, who relieved him, and by whose authority he left just before C.30 p.m. t

Witness said there was no definite post there. He eoidd go anywhere. He went simply because he could get a good view of things. To Lieut.-Colonel Sleeman witness said he.saw the launch arrive. He was then about half-way down the hill. To Colonel Porritt: He saw the launch leave for her mooring. He saw only two Germans with the eart which he saw going down to the wharf. He saw nothing on the eart. It was going for coal. To the president: He met Turner at the bottom of the wharf. Witness then resumed his walk, and turned round at the gate and went back. The launch was then at her moorings. The time was between 0.20 and fi.3o. He did not see a dinghy. He did not consider it important that the eart passed him a second time as he was going downhill again, before he came off duty. The president: Did you not consider it your duty to question these men, seeing they should have been in barracks?

Witness: No. Schmidt was looked upon as trustworthy, and was not infrequently employed on such work niter hours. Erdmann had been assisting him; therefore, I did not think it unusual.

Replying to further questions, witness said he was practically the last man coming off what was known as the "day area." It wasn't part of dis duty to see that no one was in the buildings outside the enclosure. His duty was to see that the men were in the enclosure. The two men went down before the time they should have been inside.

Corporal Shaw, recalled, said Schmidt had been working in. the coal cart for several weeks. They were running short of coal, and Schmidt stated he would bring up some with the colonel's luggage. Witness agreed to this. Turner, recalled, said he heard a cart going down, and knowing it was an extraordinary tiling, he rang up the guardroom. He was informed that Shaw had given permission to Schmidt to bring up coal and luggage together. Witness, therefore, was satisfied.

The Judge-Advocate summed up, and the court retired to consider the verdict and findign, which will be promulgated when confirmed.