THE HERETAUNGAS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 240, 3 July 1908, Page 8

THE HERETAUNGAS.

A DISMISSAL AND ITS SEQUEL. EX-SERGEANT-MAJOR TALBUT TO BE REINSTATED. Early in the year, Mr.. William Talbut, a volunteer non-commissioned officer, who was connected with, the corps for about twelve years, was dismissed from his position as sergeant-major of the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles on a charge of insubordination on December 16 last. He endeavoured to ascertain what the specific act of insubordination was, but it is stated ho was never informed in definite terms of the nature of the particular act which brought about his dismissal. Interest is revived in tho through tho announcement that he is about to bo reinstated in order thata further inquiry might be held. Why this inquiry is postponed until six months after his dismissal is only known to the authorities concerned in the matter, but Mr. Talbut wishes it clearly understood that, whilst ho welcomes the inquiry lie tried in vain to get months ago, his . reinstatement in the corps is not "at his own request," and, though he understands that tho statement is correct, ho has not yet beon officially informed that it is so.

On January 14 last Mr. Talbut wrote as follows to the Officer Commanding District:— Dear Sir, —On December 23 last 'I re- " ceivod an order from 0. C. Heretaui. \n. Mounted Rifles, informing me of my dismissal from the volunteer force. I immediately went down to the Defence Office (Government Buildings) and interviewed Captain M'Donald (as you wero not at the office), asking him if he could givo mo any particulars of the charge brought against. me, but* not being successful, I asked him to grant me a court of in-

quiry under Section 48 of tho Defence Act. No,t having received any answer to my request, I now take the liberty of writing you. demanding an inquiry under tho samo section, as I can assure you that of the paturo of^the. charge against mo I am in total ignorance. Hoping that this may bo' inquired into, so that I might bo heard in my defence.—l remain, etc. On January 18 Mr. Talbut received the following reply:—

' Dear Sir, —Re dismissal from volunteer force, I have tho honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 16th inst., and received at this office, this morning ro above,' and in reply havo to say that this is the first request you have made to this office for an inquiry, and as the matter has been.finally dealt with a further inquiry would bo of no avail. When you interviewed me ■ re your,case the. fullest information was supplied to you. You asked my opinion on .many points, and I gave it in every instance. I also gave you particulars of the charge, namely, insubordination; which led to your'dismissal, and of the inquiry made by the O.C. District.—l 'have the honour to be, sir, "T. W. M'DONALD."

Mr. Talbut then wrote as follows on Janu* ary 25 to Colonel Robin, Chief of General Staff:—

Sir, —I havo the Honour to submit copy of letter sent, by 0.-C. Wellington District (also reply received) domanding an inquiry into my dismissal from the volunteer force: The reply received from Captain M'Donald, Assistant Adjutant-General, informs •me that inquiry would bo of no avail. As I .can learn of no reason for dismissal, and as I have not, had any specified charge formulated against mo, I would respectfully request that an opportunity which. I •claim und6r Section 48 should be given to answer any chargo brought against me."

The reply, dated January 28, was as fol> lows:— .

( " I am directed by tho Chief of the General Staff to-acknowledge receipt.of your letter dated January 25, and to in- • form you that it has been passed, on to tho secretary of the Council of Defence in the usual course. "S. V.' TRASK, Captain." On January 30, Mr. Talbut ■ received the following further communication:— .. "Sir, —I have to acknowledge receipt of your-, letter of January 25, addressed to Colonel -Robin relative to your being dismissed from the volunteer force, which has been referred to me. In re-. • pl;r, I beg to inform you that a report is being obtained in connection' with .your caso, and you will be communicated with later.—l havo the honour to be, your obedient'servant, "H.D.TUSON, , "Colonel, Adjutant-General." Then follows. tho final letter giving Mr. Talbot tho fullest and most complete report to the character of the charge that brought about his dismissal. It runs as follows:—' "February 10. '• : " In continuation of my letter*" of Jan- . B uary 30, I have to inform you that you were .dismissed, for. insubordination to ' your superior and the O.C. District, reports that he satisfied himself both personally, and by inquiry ■ before . any action was taken. • • "W.H.WEBB,. ■ "Colonel, for Adjutant-General."' • There the matter has rested until the announcement that Mr. Talbut . was to be reinstated in order that an inquiry might be held. " '