THE WANGANUI SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1918, Page 2

THE WANGANUI SCANDAL.

STATEMENT BY SIR JAMES ALLEN, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellisgton, Dec. 17, The Minister for (Defence has issued a statement regarding the inquiry into the conduct of Lieutenant Crampton and his staff at the detention barraclta at WasgunuL The Minister reviews the proceedings against Crampton at Samoa, and says these proceedings were considered when Crampton was selected to take charge at Wanganui, but Headuarters was satisfied that they Were not a bar to the appointment, as they considered the verdict of the court-martial was against the weight of evidence, and that Crampton ought to have been acquitted. Mr. Hewitt, S.M., made no reference to the court-martial in his report, evidestly considering it of little importance. When Mr. Hewitt made the report he recommended a change in the personnel of the staff, hut this had already been done, except in the case of Crampton, as consideration was beisg given to entirely new arrangements for the custody and detention of prisoners, and would have been effected before this hut for the influenza epidemic. The intention was to discontinue the use of the Wanganui prison for detention purposes, *nd to accommodate the prisoners at Trentham. This was sow being carried out. Of the original staff, 15 had been discharged and two. not directly concerned in the charges, were still in'the employ of the Defence. Department. Lieutenant Crampton was still in Wanganui for the purpose of handing over to his successor.' Mr. Hewitt's report and the findings were not communicated to Crampton and his staff, the first intimation t]jey had of them was in the press after the report had been laid on the table of the House. Immediately he saw the nature of the report. Crampton demanded a courtmartial 'or himself anH >.rnff. This court-martial will be assembled without delay, and Crampton is being relieved of duty pending the result of the trial.