DARTMOOR MUTINY

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1932, Page 5

DARTMOOR MUTINY

OFFICERS’ VERSION Evidence at Inquiry (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn). LONDON, March 31. At the resumption of the Dartmoor Prison mutiny inquiry, an officer, Winter, said that on the day of the mutiny 60 convicts armed with pickhandles and sticks, under the leadership of one Conning, demanded the release of thirteen occupants of separate cells. The accused James quieted the rioters, and advised witness (Winter) to release the prisoners, which, being in fear, he did, though some remained in the cells throughout. Subsequently, when the police arrived Conning offered an unconditional surrender, but Stoddart demanded better food and no victimisation. Witness noted this down, and he promised to place the matter before Colonel Turner. Then another mob rushed out shouting, “No surrender!”

Chief Officer Smale, whom the rioters stoned, deposed that he was lockeo in a hall with prisoners and other officers, but he came out when the police arrived.

Smale’s statement that he saw no officers on the parade ground after the rioting began evoked laughter from the dock.

Witness said ho had ordered his subordinates, in view of the unrest, to act with scrupulous fairness. The convicts who started the riot were let out of the “B” hall on the orders of Colonel Turner, and Governor Roberts, though witness did not agree with this course.

An officer named Friend described how* intending escapees dropped inside the wall on seeing his revolver.

Another officer, Moss, said that he was one of several officers who vrere firing carbines at the convicts on the roof. Apparently the convict Mitchell was trying to escape when he was shot, though witness and others had fired over his head.

The accused Delmar was committed for trial, and others were again remanded.