THE CRAMPTON CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10206, 17 February 1919, Page 4

THE CRAMPTON CASE

SATURDAY'S EVIDENCE OURTH CHARGE HEARD. - ■ 1 Press Association. WANGANUI, February I*. The Crampton court-martial was resumed this morning. Arthur George Faulkner, in the course ot his evidence for the defence, said that after three years' active service he joined the mflitary P» Ilc «> and was attached to Wanganui Military Detention Barracks, Witness was present most of the time when Donovan was undergoing pack drill. After Donovan had given in, Lieutenant Crampton gave him instruction as to how to carry his rifle. Lieutenant Crampton put his right hand Donovan's chin and showed him the correct way to hold his head. He also illustrated with Donovan's right arm the proper way to swing that limb. Lieutenant Crampton did not strike Donovan at all, nor did he even touch him with the cane. Witness noticed when Donovan first came in the day before pack drill that he had a swollen right hand. The fourth charge preferred against Crampton was that of ill-treating a soldier in that on or about May 17th he permitted unnecessary force to be used to compel Private Donovan to d» pack drill. Accused pleaded not guilty. The evidence given by Donovan was exactly the same as. that given in tha third charge. To Mx Loughnan: He had made up his mind to refuse to carry out the orders of a military nature.. i: On what principle did did you object?—l had personal conscientious objection to any form of military service , ' •;. , On' wnat principle?—l didn't ««• why I should be called to go. You think it is an interference with the liberty of the subject?—Yes. In pursuance of this principle I decided to rosist, Honbvan denied resisting violentiy : and deliberately throwing himself upon the ground. He might have been ordered to get up before water was thrown on him. When they tried to lift him up he subsided in a heap. He ' Was not able to stand because he was done. He was hit harder on the head than on the chin. The hand was swollen for about a fortnight, but he made no complaint to anyone in authority.' ' To the Court: A rope was not used for fastening a rifle to his shoulder. He did not get up because he did not feel like it. A , handcuff was not' taken off his wrist when he consented to carry on. He made no complaint, to anyone about a sore wrist. ... ,'■ To the Judge-Advocate: He got up-, on occasions voluntarily, but he could. not say how many times. Ho could , ; not say how long he. had been drilling - before the first bucket of • water was thrown in his face.. There was about ten minutes between the first and second buckets, and probably the same * time between the second and third. The injury to his hand was the worst, treatment- 'toe/ received- while in .the yard: ;u->HerJrepkone'd -he received-" 1 the-' worst treatment after'he had" given in. i ■; Private 1 'Moynahan'gave evidence on similar ljnes to that given by him yesterday., '■' ■ • ■■'■'•• -'■- To ' Mi 1 Loughnan l : * Donovan"''''had + red marks round bis neck. ; • Witßew*' added that he. saw marks' that' nigfet - and for 'weeks later on. Mr ' Loughnan: Would it be pc*v~ siblo for,the doctor examining a man 5 to miss, such" marks?—l don,'t ..fhinfc ?t it would iaye been possible.'' .''"''..' y\ In answer to a further question J pus, rt by Mr Loughnan, witness said that he!' was gardening near a corner by -o,the yard. While there he saw Donovan;; with a rope round his neck and Par- A menter pulling it. He also heard scuffling. . He could not remember who was guarding him. Mr Loughnan: If Guard Williams says that you and others were employed cutting wood fully 300 yards away and never went near the yard till after pack drill was over, what, have you to say to that?—He is mating a mistake. _., . . . •,% To the Court: Witness was at that time in detention for disobeying tan* order. The court at this stage adjourned' till 2 p.m. on Monday.