MOTUIHI INVESTIGATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11415, 19 December 1917, Page 8

MOTUIHI INVESTIGATION.

GEL TURNER'S EVIDEHOE (Per Press Association.) Auckland, Doc. 39. Continuing' his (-videnco regards tJie escape of German prisoners Colonel Turner said that when the See Adler’s officers arrived at Motuihi lie received instructions that greater precautions were necessary in respect to tliese two' prisoners. When tlie Minister of Defence expressed concern about the gu rd witness stated that in consequence of conversation witli Colonel Robin in July, alteration was made from a standing guard to unlit-ry police to reduce the cost of maintenance. Witness subsequently interviewed Colonel Robin under instructions. Ho wss questioned aljout tho launch Pearl, and said as far as lie remembered ho had explained that he was using two Gemini prisoners as engineer mid dock hand, : s none of witness's detachment was capable of working tlio launch. Witness informed Colonel Robin that one visitor to tho prisoners was the wife of one of them, who had obtained a pass from higher authority. He did not consider there was any danger from visits by the wires of prisoners After her return to the island lie received n secret letter from Major Price, warning him that an attempt would be made to assist prisoners escape. Witness informed Major Price that his detachment was not strong enough to resist a 1 -nding and to guard tho prisoners as well. Major Price stated that Hunches would patrol tho island and guard the prisoners. Witness took special precautions in guarding tho prisoners and ammunition. He informed headquarters he required reinforcements to continue this He ctfuld not remember -splint reply bo received, but be put on extra armed men from 11 p.m. till daylight. It was usual for the engineer in the launch to bring ashore tho spark plugs. When lie landed in the dinghy the engineer was a German. On the occasion of the escape two Germans took the launch to the moorings as it would hold only two men . i