FLAG INCIDENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 March 1928, Page 9

FLAG INCIDENT

LATE EDITION

NAVAL SENSATION. ADMIRAL HAULS DOWN FLAG. THREE OFFICERS SUPERSEDED BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received 11.20 a.m. to-day MALTA, March 16. Admiral Collard hauled down his flag on the Royal'Oak on his own^initiative. Captain’ Dewar and Commander Daniel left Malta for England on Sunday, pending investigation into the incidents, hut hitherto no court martial has been held. —A.P.A. and “Sun.” The Admiralty announces that the Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean fleet, as a result of an inquiry into disciplinary matters, suspended Admiral Collard, Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel. It has now' been ascertained that Admiral Collard’s flag was struck, not transferred to another ship. The Commander in Chief’s report has not yet been received. Admiral Collard was still at Malta. The -Admiralty hopes that newspapers will not prejudice matters but await the Admiralty’s statement. —A.P.A. and “Sun.” Admiral Collard was beach mas tor at Gallipoli landing and also figured in the naval sensation at Portsmouth in i 1906 when he gave stokers the- famous h order “On the knee.” The courtmartial exonerated him from the general .charge, but repremanded him for a special case.

TROUBLE OVER JAZZ BAND

Received 12.25 p.m. to-day. LONDON. March 16

Though the facts will not be known until the report to which the Rt. Hon. W. C. Bridgeman referred arrives, several naval correspondents make t'h .= e.xtraordinarv announcement that the genesis of the trouble was a disagreement on a proposal to have a Jazz band aboard the Royal Oak. It is stated that it in no way involves professional capacities. The weight of evidence thus far available suggests that the dramatic incident was nothing more than an unfortunate outcome of a persona. souaJbble about the social life on the ship. It seems that the affair started with a regular complaint and cukuinated in an irrevocable disagreement. The general belief is that nnnecessary prominence has been given to the episode, which though most regrettable, is most remote from mutiny or general unrest. A British United Press message from Malta declares that a dispute occurred between Admiral Collard and the bendmaster. The senior officer is said t> have sided with the bandmaster. Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel have reached oLndon and visited the Admiralty. According to information current in navy circles, there has merely been personal friction between Admiral Oolhard and his officers. The climax was reached when Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel laid a complaint against Admiral Collard. Admiral Sir It. J. B. Keyes, hoping to smooth matters over, suggested that Admiral Collard should transfer his flag to the Resolution. Admiral Collard declined and asked permission t-o haul down his flag. Admiral Keyes agreed, and also ordered an inquiry, resulting in the suspensions. Admiral Collard is expected to follow Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel to London, in order to answer complaints at the Admiralty, but, if he wishes, he can formulate counter complaints’, or even charges requiring court-martiaL —“Times.”