CRAMPTON CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10210, 21 February 1919, Page 6

CRAMPTON CASE

FURTHER EVIDENCE PRISONER'S ALLEGATIONS OP ILLTREATMENT. Freaa Association. WANGANUI, February 20. The Crampton court-martial was ie■umed this morning, when the eighth charge was heard, alleging that accused permitted unnecessary force to compel Private Alister Beaton to'do pack drill. Beaton said he had refused to don a uniform, and was forcibly dressed, he not resisting. He declined to take a rifle, which was then handcuffed to his wrist. A rope was put round his neck and he was dragged round the yard end bumped into the wall. He bled freely from the face. He -was dragged round the yard by the hair., two handfuls of which came out. Ho then consented to take the rifle. Haynes trod on his heels to quicken his step, and Byrne rained punches on his back and neck. "When he had consented to march. Crampton asked if he would put the uniform on. Witness refused, and Crampton ordered him to go round again and poked him in the Tibs with a cane. He fell to the ground, and on getting up cannoned into the -wall, being nearly knocked out. After more marching. Crampton asked if he had any complaints to make, and witness, at. first refusing to answer, eventually said ho had none. Dr Anderson said he had examined Beaton after the pack drill in the evening, and apart from a slight abrasion on the left side of the face, found no bruise or injury. He asked Beaton how the abrasion had been caused, and Beaton answered something about spooks having done It. Witness was instructed to report on the mental condition of Beaton, who had some theories about being hypnotised, -which troubled him. Witness considered these were assumed, and reported that Beaton was mentally sound. Private Moynahan, in evidence, said that Beaton was dragged about the yard ■with, a rope round his neck. His face was bleeding. Quartermaster Kerr Porter said he saw Beaton punched and knocked against the ■wall-by Smith and Parmenter.