EXTRAORDINARY ACCUSATION AGAINST OFFICERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1167, 30 October 1883, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY ACCUSATION AGAINST OFFICERS.

A court-martial (says a Home paper of 24th August) was opened at Hounslow on Wednesday to investigate the charge against Private Arthur Kimber, of the 4th Hussars, of having made false accusations against two officers of the regiment to which he belonged. The charge was based upon a letter which appeared in the Standard on the 30th July, signed by the prisoner. In that letter the prisoner alleged that while his troop was stationed at Hampton Court, for some imaginary' offence in connection with his duties as cook, which he had previously discharged, he was locked up in the guard-room by Sergeant-Major Dremnan, and afterwards marched before Captain Ramsay, who, however, ccnld not find anything against him. While he wasgoingaway he alleges that he heard the two officers give the order for him to be thrown into the Thames, and states that on his arrival in the guard-room twelve or sixteen men marched in after him, marched him off to the river, and threw him in the deepest part, while the two officers stood by and looked on. Such was the accusation made in the letter. On Wednesday Captain Ramsay deposed that when the prisoner was brought before him on the day in question he ordered his release. He did not give orders that he should be thrown into the river ; he did not stand by and see it done ; nor did he know anything of the occurrence until it was reported to him. Seeing a number of men coming towards the barracks ho sent SergeantMajor Drenman to find out what they were doing. He returned and said they had been ducking a man. Witness saw the prisoner come up in a wet state, but did not laugh at him and did not punish the men who threw him in. Other evidence was given denying that the ordeis had been given by the officers, and alleging that the ducking was the result of a unanimous suggestion of the men in the guard-room to ‘ dip him and the Court then adjourned.