FOUND GUILTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26677, 24 January 1948, Page 8

FOUND GUILTY

NAVAL OFFICER’S OFFENCE

PA AUCKLAND, Jan. 23. The officer’s ceremonial sword that had lain lengthwise on the table since its surrender at the opening of the hearing, four days before, pointed towards the accused to indicate a verdict of guilty at the close of the naval court martial at the Devonport naval base. Of the three charges preferred against Mr Henry Charles Hillind, MB E , a commissioned boatswain in the Royal Navy, two were held to be proved, and on the third he was acauitted He was sentenced to be dismissed from his ship, H.M.N.ZiS. Tamaki, and reprimanded. The two charges which were found proved were: (1) That being a person subject to the Naval Discipline Act, he was drunk on board his ship on December 22, and (2) that he acted to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline in contravening his commanding officer’s memorandum by consuming intoxicating liquor in a place other .than the wardroom or anteroom. The third charge, which was held to be not proved, was that he acted to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline in contravening the commanding officer’s memorandum by supplying liquor to ratings. After announcing the finding. Lieu-tenant-commander Skyrme, formally asked the prosecutor if there were any previous court martial verdicts against the accused, and if any entries in the ship’s log or official documents containing definite censure were produced against him. Proceeding from the negative answer that was given, Lieu-tenant-commander Skyrme asked the accused if he wished to say anything in mitigation. His reply was: “Only to reaffirm my innocence and to .point to my service record.” After further consideration the court announced its sentence.