THE TRANSPORT TRAGEDY.

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1919, Page 4

THE TRANSPORT TRAGEDY.

MARSDEN ON TRIAL. | MANSLAIX -.rrs.'l OrlAlkrE. ; WELLINGTON, This Day. | In the Magistrate's Court yester- , day Sergeant Edward George Furling I Marsden appeared on remand on a j charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Staff-Sergeant- j Major Samuel Stanley Choate on the J transport Pakeha on May 26. Chief Detective Bodham, in opening the case, said there was no evidence to justify the slightest suspicion of animosity between the men. The Quartermaster-Sergeant (L. Messenger), who was on the Pakeh.i, said that on May 20 he was talking to Marsden on deck near one of the latrines, which was built of wood and ibolted to the deck with iron rods. Choate came along, and, taking Marsden by the arm, said, "Have you any property of mine?" adding, in reply to Marsden, that he meant a cap. Marsden said "Yes," took a \ civilian cap off his head and placed j it on Choate's head. Choate then asked Marsden if the latter had a mirror of his. Marsden said "No," j and Choate, wiio appeared to get excited, replied, "You're a liar," and Marsden asked Choate to take the words back, Choate refused, and Marsden struck him with his fist. Choate struck back, hitting Marsden. The latter slipped and fell, got up, and struck Choate again. Choate slipped and fell, striking his head on the side iof the latrine. The deck was fairly wet. The two men had always been friendly prior to this. Soldiers had slipped on deck while wearing service boots. Choata exhibited more temper than Marsden. j Company S.M. Mackay and Sergeant Lockett gave coi-roborative evidence. j Owing to the non-appearance of the only other witness, Surgeon-Cap-tain Gordon, from the South, the further hearing was adjourned till ti>day.—Press Assn. j