MOTUIHI ESCAPEES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17702, 31 January 1918, Page 4

MOTUIHI ESCAPEES.

THE COURT-MARTIAL.

[Per Press Association*.] AUCKLAND. January 30.

The court-martial which is investigating the charges against Colonel Turner in connection with the escape of Germans from Motuihi was resumed this morning.

The Crown Prosecutor, in opening the" case, alluded to an alternative charge, that Colonel Turner, without reasonable excuse, allowed prisoners to escape. What was alleged was that by some reckless omission he allowed them to get away. Tho definition of negligence was doing something that no reasonable man would do. Colonel Turner stated that his practice was to tell the Germans to bring the sparking plugs from the motor launch to his office. Apparently lie was oblivious to all the movements of the prisoners. He knew nothing at all. They brought the sparking plugs to him, but he left them free and lincontrollod.

Major J. O. Lilly nave evidence that Colonel Turner, in 'his report on the escape of tho prisoners, stated) that ho usually personally looked to see if the launch was made fast to her moorings, but on this occasion he had not dbna so. It had been his practice to tell the prisoners to bring the sparking plugs to him, but on this occasion ho omitted to do so. He also omitted ta seo the launch" mode fast at her moore mgs. ' Cross-examined, witness stated that he ivas not in charge of the prisoners, though it was his duty to deal with them. As to the prisoner Erdman. witness said ho know the Minister had forbidden his transfer to Motuihi, yeti he was sent there. Instructions for his transfer emanated from Captain Hall Thompson. AN ANONYMOUS WARNING-Sergeant-major St Clair Keogh, ini charge of the guard at Motuihi, said that the sparking plug first was taken out of the launch Pearl at witness s suggestion. His reason for making the suggestion was that an anonymous warning was found on the floor of the orderly room on the morning of November 29 last. The warning was printed on a piece of carboard enclosed in a wrapping of brown paper. On the outside it was marked important, and addressed to Colonel Turner and witness. The-notice read:—

“ Look to your launch. There are! provisions, • benzine and sail for a i runaway to-day. Don’t mention this.”

Witness believed it was a hoax, buti he mentioned to Colonel Turner than it might be advisable to remove the sparking plug- He inquired from one of the guard if he were- the author or the warning, but no other inquiry wa* made as to the authorship. No surprise visits were, made to the quarters of tho Seeadler’s men. There wove stated times for inspection- There*were* on the island sheds where prisoner* could do carpentering and other wor-v----some of the men did’metal work, but. only one of the escapees ever did it. Prisoners still on the island continued to do metal work. It was known than several first-class mechanics were included among the Germans. SPARKING PLUGS.

Corporal John William Shaw, of thel Motnini guard, said he checked wia prisoners at 5.40 p.m. on the day of tho escape. The total number then was complete. At that time a -sentry should have been on Tower Hill. He saw the sentry entering the barrack enclosure about 6.15 p-m. There was no fixed rule regarding 'the time the sentrv was to remain on duty at Tow|T Hill. "Ho used his own discretion, lti was usual for him to ( return about* 6.30 p.m. The prisoners would have iu> difficulty in obtaining sparking plugs, as two pumps on the island were worked by benzine engines with sparking plugs. Colonel Turner’s launob wa3 overhauled by tho prisoners. The benzine engines referred to were at present being worked by prisonersFrancis Wainwright. bugler, wh-v was escort on the launch on the visit) to Auckland on the day of the escape, said that Freund and Paulsen while at Devonport were not out of his sight. THE ESCAPEES’ SUPPLIES. Captain W. Bourke, master of the scow Moa, said that when that vessel was captured the Germans took on board a quantity of provisions, a rifle, a sword, a large number of tools, a sextant, photographic material, camera, batteries and wireless plant. The. provisions included eggs, flour, small tins of biscuits, a little tinned meat, 201 b of oatmeal, cocoa, fowls and 301 b or 401 bof rice. They also had what the Germans declared to bo three bombs. No water was brought on board. They also had ten benzine tins sealed, but witness could not say if they contained benzine. INCREASE OF GUARD URGED. Colonel Patterson, officer commanding the Auckland district, said that when a scarp was raised in November last lie toll'd Colonel Turner about the matter, but did not toll him in a general way of what steps were taken to checkmate any escape- Before leaving for Wellington on December 11 he told Colonel Turner that he was concerned about- the launch Pearl- He said that Colontfli Turner .should, be careful to put the engine of the launch out of action. Colonel Turner said that was always clone when the launch was left at its moorings. At Colonel Turners request a letter was sent from witness 0 office to headquarters, Wellington, asking about increasing the guard during the time of the scare, but up to the time of the escape no reply was received. On November 26, 1917. witness wrote to headquarters, Wellington,- recommending that the strength of the guard should bo increased to thirty rank and file, that- Count von Luckner and Kirscheiss should be removed to some place by themselves, as they yera enterprising individuals who would be better separated from tho other prisoners, and also expressing the opinion that it would bo expedient to prohibit any aliens, male or female, from visiting prisoners oil tho island. Witness knew of no instance in which Colonel Turner dealt directly with district hea<--quarters. Witness had never given Colonel Turner a. direct order. Witness wns satisfied with the conduct of affairs at Motuihi up to the time of the arrival of the Seeadler’s officers and men. During the scare period Colonel Turner had never 6aid to witness that he was unable to carry on unless he was reinforcea. was adjourned till tomorrow. .