N-Z- TELEGRAMS

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1918, Page 3

N-Z- TELEGRAMS

COURTMARTIAL

OFFICER'S ALLEGED DRUNKENNESS.

ACCUSER ON TRIAL

"~* (Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. At the court-martial of Corporal Doridant (who is alleged to have falsely accused Captain Gray of being drunk on duty) Corporal Doridant gave evidence. He described a patrol trip round a troopship, and said a powerful searchlight was in" use. All the time the ship was in plain view. Captain Gray, who was steering, made a sudden turn towards the ship, while circling, and the launch almost collided. Witness reversed the engine and then went slow ahead, till the launch cleared the ship. On the way back Captain Gray took a course straight towards a schooner visible 300 yards away. When the schooner was only 60 yards away. Private Brown told Captain Gray there was a ship ahead. At th© same time witness helped the Captain to put the helm over. The launch cleared the schooner by a few yards. The searchlight was burning all the time. "Jit the steps Captain Gray slipped and fell forward. The tide was high and the steps above the water were dry. Witness followed Captain Gray to an inner guardroom. Captain Gray said Captain Hill had asked if Corporal Doridant had not been guilty of gross dereliction of duty in being away from his ship on the night the Germans escaped. Witness replied he had been off duty, and that he applied to Captain Gray for a substitute. Captain Gray asked for written report, which was made. Subsequently, later in the evening, he took the launch 'back to a warship With Private Brown, and asked the private if. he noticed anything. Brown said: "Yes, yes. I could smell it o n him." On August 3rd he reported the matter to Captain Hill, « n d said he would like to go before a tiigher authority. Captain Hill told him to put the charge in writing. He did this, and took the document to Captain Hill's office" on August Bth. He did not see Captain Hill till August 16th, when the charges were read «to him. and some of the evidence. Captain Hill then placed him under close arrest. Witness had served in the Second Life Guards, and the Naval Reserve for more than two years, about 30 years 'a«ro. It was still his opinion that Captain Gray had been drunk on the night of August Ist. He had questioned various members of the forces, but found them nil very reticent. They appeared + o be afmH to say what +hey knew. When askod for a written statement. Private Brown refused, paying: "It Irpuld put his pot on."