DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17502, 19 December 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL

A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOK.

Major Greonhaugh (president) and Lieutenants Hunt and Shand (members) sat as a court-martial at the Central Battery yesterday for the trial of two members of tho Now Zealand Expeditionary Foxoo. Lieutenant M'Crorie was prosecutor. The first case taken was that of Private Roy Ormond York Bradley, charged that on October 25, 1917, ho absented himself without lcavo at Christchurch in failing to attend tho Medical Board.

Accused pleaded that he got no orders, fie was drawn in the ballot, and never got papers to attend. He went to the Post Office, and they could not find them. This was recorded as a plea of not guilty. Captain Myers, A.A.G., Otago Military district, and the accused was gazetted for medical examination at Christehurch on October 25, 1917. Accused failed to turn up for medical examination and was arrested at Big Bay (West Coast) by Lieutenant Skelley, assisted by Quartormaster Quartermain, brought to Dunedin, and remanded for district court-martial.

Lieutenant Skolloy said information had come to his office tliat a party wanted for military service was somowhero oil the West Coast, from Lake Wakatipu. Witness proceeded to the coast, and found accused and his brother at Big Bay. Witness recognised both as Bradley brothers, as they answered tho description given on tho warrant for arrest. Witness asked tho accused to produce his military papers. Accused replied that he did not have them with him. Witness told accused that he must escort him to where he could get them, and informed him he knew he was Hoy Bradley. Accused subsequently admitted it. Witness gave him to understand ho -was under Qa.rrest. Accused ottered to come out voluntarily, without resistance. Witness later handed the accused over to an escort 4it Gore. Witness explained that they left a day's food in each hut as they went to the bay to be utilised on the way back.

The accused said the military party went to Big Bay ■without food, and they supplied them. They also gave the party food to bring them out. Lieutenant Skelley said what the accused said was quite true. Hie party was compelled to accept the hospitality of the Bradleys.

To Lieutenant M'Crorie: Accused gave no explanation why he was at Big Bay. During tho time he was under escort he admitted that he had conscientious objections to military service. Acoused told witness ho was drawn in the fifth ballot.

Corporal Quartermain said ho left Kinloch on November 10, under the charge of Lieutenant Skelley. They travelled through tiio bush, searching huts on the way. When they reached Big Bay they found the accused. Accused admitted that he was an absentee from the Medical Board. Accused, 'in his defence, said he was a Quaker and was averse to military service. Ho had been exempted from service in the Territorials by Mr Bailey, S.M., on March 29, 1913. on account of his religious beliefs (exemption put in). . Holding the views lie did and not wishing to cause any more trouble than possible, he took the only course that was open to him. When he was drawn in the ballot he was away at sea, and the papers were not left at the address he had registered. He inquired for them at the Post Office, but they could not be found, and he was told they must have gone back to vWellington. They did everything they conld to assist the escort. To Hie He understood that Quakers were not exempt trom non-com-batant service. Hβ objected to do noncombatant service.

The oourt gave no verdict The regulations provide that if an accused is found not guilty he is informed of the fact; but if he is found guilty no pronouncement is made till the sentence is promulgated. INSULTING AN OFFICER.

The court martial sat again at 2 p.m. to try the case in which Priyate Hugh Goodlet, Otago Infantry Regiment, aopeared to answer three charges of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in using obscene and offensive language to Captain on November 9 and to Corporal Latimer on December 4. and with resisting an escort of military police on December 4. Accused pleaded that he was under the influence of liquor at the time, and not remember it at all. This was taken as a plea of not guilty. , Captain Myere stated that on November 9 he boarded, the St. Olair car at the Post Office and took his seat at tho back, facing tho driver. The accused boarded the car at one of tho stopping places, and at tho corner at the Kensington Hotel a man made a moyo to get off the car, and witness put his hand out, thinking he would fall. Accused looked at witness, and said: " It's all right. I am a fair dinkum soldier." Accused left the car at Grosvenor street, and, on alighting, turned round, and, lookin at witness, made use of the obscene language complained of. Accused was under the influence of liquor. Witness reported the matter to the military police, giving a description of the man, and l he was eventually arrested.

Sergeant Andrew Latimer (military poKceman) said he received a description of the accused about the end of November, with instructions to arrest him and escort him to the Central Battery. He found the accused on December 4 in the bar of the hotel at the corner of London andi George streets. Ho asked the accused to come outside, as he wanted to have a word with him. Accused came as far as the bar door, and then tried to push his way back, again. Witness atre6ted him, and brought him into the street, whore accusedi resisted violently, and used an obscene expression to him: Witness escorted him to St. Andrew street, where accused again used obscene language to him. At the Triangle the accused broke escort, and used violence when they regained possession of him. The accused was finally put in a cab and taken to the Central Battery. Accusedi was sober enough to post on duty. Witness said he was positive of that.

The President: In your opinion? Witness: Yes, sir. The time wotdd be about 2.15 p.m. Accused did not go quietly any part of the way. Accused might have had a dnnk, but if he had it was not noticeable on him.

Accused said he had no questions to ask Sergeant Latimer said lie received his instructions to arrest the accused from Sergeant-major Crowthcr (N.Z.M P) on a charge of using obscene lanuage' to an officer.

Sergeant Thomas Melville eaid ho was at district headquarters at St. Andrew street ■when foergeant Lafcuner and Corporal Geddes brought in. the accused. Accused was excited. He heard accused make use of obscene language to Sergeant Latimor in the office Orders were received to take accused to the Central Battery. He resisted when near High street on the way to catch a car at the Post Office, and broke away from the escort. Accused was sober. Accused had no statement to make, but said he would like to call the corporkl of the guard to hear what ho had to say about his condition.

Corporal Colston said that when accused was taken to the Central Battery about 3.30 p.m. he had a slightly Weeding scar on the face, and when asked; after tea as to the cut he said he must have fallen He was drunk, and foil -asleep almost as soon as placed in the cell. When wakened up between 5.15 and 5.30 accused did not seem to know where he was Wit ness had. never to his knowledge, seen the accused before. If accused was sober when arrested witness could not account for hk condition when he was taken to the battery, unless he got drunk on tie way Corporal Orawshaw said that he saw accused about an hour after he was brought drank? y ' and he was *&» In answer to tho court, accused, said that ho had his first drink about 9.40 am at .he hotel near the battery, and then he'did the rounds. He had no idea what time ho went into the hotel in George street He was a Mam Body man (accused wore a red stripe and four blue stripes on his left arm) and hac* his nerves shattered by shell shock and was still under massage W Lieutenant M'Crorie produced tho accused's military record. It showed a number of punishments for iambordOon drunkenness, etc. One sentence of U months was commuted for gallantry in the The court made no pronouncement.

— General Oowther, who ortraniW +hn man-power of the United unassuming, determined men, whose aim ; n everything is efficiency. An Amprimn dent of tho Yorkshire Post) that the office in which General Crowther works i° dt void of luxurious furniture, and thaA his desk is always clear of everything but a printed tho single word "expodite " On almost overy document issued from his office ho sticks one of theeo tags and this is responsible for the rapidity with which the American army has been organised. Ho grants no every applicant, rich or poor, goee 'away with tho same answer, that it would bo a groat mjustioo to g;rent exemption to any-