MILITARY COURT OF INQUIRY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10207, 7 April 1911, Page 5

MILITARY COURT OF INQUIRY

CHARGES OF INSUBORDINATION.

[7??/ Telegraph—Tress Association.'] NEW PLYMOUTH. Last Night. The military Court of Enquiry, the second of its kind in the Dominion, sat at New Plymouth to-day, to investigate tho charges of insubordination preferred against Captain Charles Thos. Mills, of the Tnranaki Guards, an officer of the New Zealand Defence Forces, the insubordination alleged being that he instigated a communication headed "A New Plymouth Knyvett" in the Taranaki Daily News of March 11th last. Further charges were that he Mstigated the said communication (A) Calling in question the action of the Defence Department in the matter of the Court of Inquiry lately held to try the charge then preferred against the said Captain Mills. (B) Reflecting on the said Department in the matter of the enquiry. (C) Reflecting on the conduct of his superior officer (Lieut.-Colonel Nelson Okey) as President of that Court of Inquiry.

The Daily News editor was subpoenaed to produce the original copy of the letter. He objected to produce the document unless the Court could produce its authority for demanding a document which was the property of a civilian. He further asked if Colonel Ohaytor had a legal right to "command" the presence of a civilian or to order the production of a private document. The President explained that- the Court had the necessary power.

Ex-Lieut. Davis, a veteran, admitted writing the letter, which was published over his signature, and' admitted that he obtained the information contained therein from Captain Mills, in whose handwriting parts of the letter appeared. The Court ruled that it had no power to investigate any grievance that Captain Mills might have, but it offered, to attach to its report any letter that he might wish to submit.