THE CRAMPTON COURTMARTIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1919, Page 5

THE CRAMPTON COURTMARTIAL.

YESTERDAY'S EVIDENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. At the court martial to-day Lieutenant Crampton was further charged with permitting unnecessary force to be used to compel Private Donovan to carry out an order. Private Beatson, who is undergoing 28 days' detention, deposed that he saw Donovan on the ground in a limp condition. Ne*t morning he noticed red marks on Donovan's neck and gravel scratches on the side of his face. Donald Kerr Porter refused to give evidence, saying his word was apparently not believed, but after a warning by the court Porter deposed that he saw Donovan on the ground and being bumped against a wall. Accused was telling Donovan to get up, and Jenkins was dragging him along with a rope. To Mr. Loughnan: He was on bad terms with Crampton, owing to the lat- ' ter's unfairness to him. He did not remember telling Sergeant Smith that he would have revenge on Crampton. Dr. Anderson deposed that he examined Donovan in the gaslight, and could nut have missed seeing marks on his neck and face if any had existed. Lieutenant Crampton, in his evidence, said he had been warned by the civil police that Donovan was a dangerous character, that for two years he had done no work, and that charges of sly-grog selling were pending against him at Tau- | marunui. Donovan was sentenced to two hours' pack drill. A rifle was hand- . cuffed to his wrist, so that the man won; , be unable to use it on the staff. Donovan appeared to be violent in his resistance, and told Crampton to do his damnedest. A rope was put round Donovan, passing over the rifle on one shoulder. When Donovan got down witness threatened to put a bucket of water over him if he get up. Finally this was done, and Donovan carried on, be- „ coming one of the most humble men in B the barracks. t To Captain Hudson: He would use only y sufficient force to overcome resistance e If he had allowed a man to beat him it would have meant an end of his career •> at the barracks.