LATEST CABLE NEWS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5016, 3 May 1895, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

Prea Association-Electric Tclcgraph-Copyrlßht RESULT OP THERINGAROOMA COURT-MARTIAL, EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE. Received May 2,10.30 p.m. Sydney, May 2. At the Ringarooma court-martial Surgeon Lea made a lengthy "statement in defence and said that in placing Captain Johnson on the sick list ho was actually conscious of a sense of duty, and acted in accordance with the customs of the service. If ho had not done so it would have been a grave dereliction of duty. DrLea went on to say that his attention was directed to the Captain's manuoi while the latter was on the fore bridge, where he was pacing up and down making grimaces and gesticulating in an excited manner. Ho considered the captain was unfit to command the ship. He was of strange temperament, and seemed to suffer from morbid depression of spirits. The surgeon gave instances of eccentricity on the part of tho captain at various functions and said he possessed a strange peculiarity for playing imaginary golf on tho vessel's deck. His eyes would become dilated and after making an imaginary stroke he would look as if observing its effect. When tho ship went on a reef a short time ago at Now Hebrides, the captain's behaviour was eccentric, and he repeatedly swore at the men while they were working as hard as they possibly could. On another occasion he started fishing from a port-hole. The doctor wished to call ovidence as to the health of Captain Johnson, but the Court refused to hear it.

Owing to this decision, Dr Lea was unable to call some 30 witnesses lie had arranged to have examined.

The Court found Lea guilty of the chaises made against him, and ordered him to be dismissed from the service.

Received, Mai/ 3,1 a.m. Sydney, May 2. Dr Lea's counsel intends to forward the papers in the Courtmartial case to the Admiralty. Received, Mai/3, W.oOu.ni.

Sydney, May 3, Dr Lea's sentence has been continned by the Admiral. Had the doctor remained three months' longer in the service, he would have been entitled to a retiring allowance of £I2OO.

The Daily Telegraph hotly denounces the proceedings and the finding of the Court, and say never before has there been a case presenting such extraordinary features, and demanding such a thorough investigation. The result lias caused intense indignation throughout the fleet, and efforts will be made to induce the Colonial Governments to send representations to the Imperial Authorities. •