COURT-MARTIAL AT AUCKLAND

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 89, 13 October 1915, Page 10

COURT-MARTIAL AT AUCKLAND

TWO CHARGES OF DESERTION VERDICTS OF GUILTY. IEUSGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 12th October. > The trial by Court-martial of two members of the 2nd Maori Reinforcements on charges of desertion was held at Narrow Neck Camp this morning. The Court consisted of Lieut. -Col. Harcourt Turner (president) and Capts. Rewish and Kitchener. Capt. Pullen appeared as prosecutor, and Mr. Biernacki for one of the accused (Cpl. J. M. Hopa). The first accused, No. 16/979 (Cpl. Jury Martin Hopa), was charged that he at Narrow Neck, when under orders for embarkation for active service, absented- himself without leave from the 2nd Maori Reinforcements from 14th September until apprehended by the civil police at Topiri on 24th September, and that he was then in plain clother. The accused pleaded not guilty. - The prosecutor, in his preuminary address, said it was generally believed by the authorities that Maori deserters were being_ helped by some of their own race, and it was desired to detect the persons carrying on this practice. Captain Alexander, main camp adjutant at Narrow Neck, stated in crossexamination that accused's parents were very keen on buying him out, and declared they were old and too poor to support themselves. "King" Te Rata Mahuta, who was called, stated that the book was at the pa to put on record the desires of the Maoris, to be sent to Dr. Pomare. There was reference to military matters in it. Those who wished to join the forces may do so, and those who object may be permitted to remain. He did not tell Hopa that if the police came it would be all right, because he had signed the book. He had not asked Hopa to- write in the book, and Hopa had no right to say he did. Mr. Biernacki said his defence was that accused was under 20 years of age. He understood the Defence Department had invariably refused to allow men under 20 to go away without their parents' consent, and that this applied to Maoris as well as to white troops. Waireareta Hopa, accused's mother, stated that her son enlisted without the knowledge of his parents, and they did not hear of it till some weeks later She immediately wrote to' Dr. Pomare to return him to them. She came to Auckland to see what could be done for her son's release, and detailed conversation with Capt. Peacock, Camp Commander at Narrow Neck, and Capt. Main, who told her that if she paid expenses she could expect her boy to be released. She then went away to Waikato to get money (£2B), and when she returned she handed the money to her son, who afterwards told her Capt. Main refused to take it. Accused's father gave corroborative evidence. Addressing the Court, Mr. Biernacki pointed out that accused did ttot himself wish to leave the force, but deserted in response to the appeals of his mother. Capt. Peacock, called by the President, stated that some of the Maoris under his charge at Narrow Neck had been "bought out" by their relations. This was allowed only in exceptional circumstances. Probably not more than twenty discharges had been granted in this way out of 1000 men trained under him at Narrow Neck and Avondale. The Court found accused guilty of desertion, and retired to consider the sentence. The latter will be communicated to the Judge Advocate-General, and must be confirmed by him before being made public. THE SECOND CASE. Pte. Hori Mohi was charged with being absent without leave. Too much liquor had resulted in accused missing the transport. There was no intention to desert. Accused was found guilty.