MOTUIHI INVESTIGATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11416, 20 December 1917, Page 8

MOTUIHI INVESTIGATION.

COL TURNER’S EVIDENCE. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, Dec. 19. Continuing his evidence regards the 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 these two prisoners. When the Minister of Defence expressed concern shout the guard witness stated that in consequence of conversation with Colonel Robin in July, alteration was made from a standing guard to milit- ry police to reduce the cost of maintenance. Witness subsequently interviewed , Colonel Robin under instructions. He ■ was questioned about the launch Pearl, and said as far as ho remembered lie had explained that he w r as using two German prisoners as engineer and deck hand, as none of witness’s detachment was capable of working the launch. Witness informed Colonel Robin that one visitor to the 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 wives of prisoners After her return to the island he received a secret Totter from Major Price, warning him that an attempt would bo made to assist prisoners escape. Witness informed Major Price that bis detachment was not strong enough to resist a landing and to guard the prisoners as well. Major Price at-ited that launches would patrol the island and guard the prisoners. Witness took special precautions in guarding the prisoners and ammunition. He informed headquarters lie required reinforcements to continue this He could not remember what reply lie received, hut he put on extra armed men from 11 p.m. till daylight. It was usual for the engineer in the launch to bring ashore the spark plugs. When lie landed in the dinghy the engineer was a German. On the occasion of the escape two Gormans took the launch to the moorings as it would hold only two men .