SERGT.-MAJOR'S TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 10

SERGT.-MAJOR'S TRIAL.

ALLEGED INSUBORDINATION. '■ANSWERABLE ONLY TO STAFF OFFICERS." ACCUSED ADMITS QUARREL. <F-t T'-l'-jrrapli.—Press Association ) HAWERA. Friday. 7he Military Court to-day finished hearing the charges against SerjeantMajor C. S. Mahoney, a member of the j-ermanent force. The charges against Sergeant-Major Mahoney were; tai Disobeying a lawful command of a sui>erior officer. Captain R. W. Harvey, when the Waverier Mounted Rilles were in camp, by refusing to go to his tent when ordered; «bi using insubordinate language, in that he said. "I will not take any orders from •i! \ territorial officer;"* <c) acting to the p:«•;'.! !.ce of military discipline in that he cali.-d "Harvey."" and ]vrfomaed an n>n;t!ii_- a-t with his hands. Mr. sprat;, who api .cared for .'-censed, plf.vd'-d not guilty. He objected to the ;.r-t charges* on the grounds that the ■ si;»rg-« did !j.-t an offence under the A: my Act. and were not in aivor.i with t!ii- rin.« oi procedure under the Army and IVfence Arts. The objection. were disallowed. They hin-.-d on the interpretation of the w<rd. "]*Tn.."nent tone."" the constitution of "hi. a > -hown t- be a s-parat* entity •tii «i alio iiifiii i»f the Do fence \ct l "Would Not Take Orders."* * a, .a in Har\ey. in evidence, said he •l-kci acu>ed -he a rcas,.,, f or St-im late for a stable j.arade. Accuse: icfu>c<». telling witness he was answer■it'le to the commanding officer, and thane would not take orders from a terrii.o:m] officer. Witnes- ordered bi:n To his tent. and accused refused to go. L*;.- r h" ca:]cd out. Hey. Ilarvcv." and put h<. •incers to his n-~e.

iciest,on.--d by the court witness could no: say whether accused had gone to his """! but at the time he s.,wl. "I wont."*

Lieutenant D. Forsyth, an eve-witness sa.d he heard the trouble, but did not hear accused address Captain Hanev bv anything except captain, nor did he see tiie fctioc alleged. Captain B W. Sraart. another evewit r.e-*. sajd he did not hear the cinversanon. but could tell it was be«,™mg heated. Accused continued to *alute Captain Harvey. Witness heard accused say he would not take o-dT r . trom a territorial officer. He 'saw accused put his fingers to his n£L Accused Gives Evidence. Evidence was given bv accused stated he was not aware of the time at which the squadron was to proceed to water, and his watch had stopped. La» f.puin H,„,v dcn,,Med " d *"»«I replied ,h„ he ha.l received no orders to bring the back to tie lines. Beia/toW 2.?^

eo excuse, be surrested that if is had any complaint. vav'ain Karvtr should report to the adjutant. A quarrel developed and the oaj.tain ordered to h;?- tent. lie refuse*! to go. and said he coulij take no orders from* territorial officer. Accused >aj*l he understood he this ansvrerable only to staff oSiwre. H* denied he had jut his f.r..-«T- to his hose, or calie-d out. "Hey. ILanev." He =nj*. -<-u-d he u-i-d "the -la A'.ihonc-y.*" tjs ;.un l.v a turnber at 3c-al :t-.i.3.. n: . as . ;. a _ T< . r _ lbo o-unV f.-u] ::z uiU D 0; *• announced until a ha- (---.nfinDed bf headquarters and the judje-advocate.