THE MOTUIHI INQUIRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 27, 1 February 1918, Page 5

THE MOTUIHI INQUIRY.

FURTHER EVIDENCE. (United Press Association.) AUCKLANA,. This Day. At the court-martial, the* 3iea,ring of the charges against Colonel Turner wera resumed this morning. : ' V : J. R. Reed/ Judge Advocate, in evidence said he advised amongst othjwf things, that the charge should nofcybe one of wilful negligence. . Colonel Turner, under examination, said the method of communication in regard to prisoners of war. -was direct with Headquarters, "Wellington. In\Tuly last, after consultation with the G.O.tyvi the Guard on the island was . reduced from 35 to 25 and converted into a military patrol. Witness was uneasy in -.regard to the Seeadler prisoners. On November 26th Colonel Patterson wrote to Wellington, asking'that the prisoners be removed. No reply was received. Count von Duckner asked that' Erdmflin be sent to Motuihi to act ns his orderly. Witness forwarded his request to Wellington without comment. When , t"® Ministre of Defence visited the isi»"d earlier in the month, Von Duckner asked that all _ his lntjri be transferred to Motuihi. 'This waa refused. He then asked foy Erdman. The Minister remarked to ■ witness that he .STd not think iti would •te at*T?sable to send Erd'iiian, with which witness agreed. Regarding the scare of November 20, a>nd the yrarninjsr he received, thereauent, 'witness said he replied that h"o* had nct< euf-Hc'p-nt men to resist a Tescue pan-ty landing and a system, of signals was arranged. following this, application for more men was made. <