THE MOTUIHI INQUIRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11418, 22 December 1917, Page 8

THE MOTUIHI INQUIRY.

TURNER’S EXAMINATION CONTINUED. Per Press Association, AUCKLAND, Last Night. The Motuihi inquiry continued todav. The examination of Colonel Turner was continued. The president asked witness on what he based the assumption that military police should be unarmed. Witness replied that it had always been his experience on ‘ ‘ military police” ho believed it would convey to any officer to whom it was used the fact that the men were unarmed. Colonel MacDonald: "Have you ever scon unarmed men guard prisoner.-! of war,” Witness; "Only at Motuihi. I have had no other experience.” Colonel MacDonald: "Would the disposition of your military police patiols have prevented the escape of tlio prisoners if a launch had culled for thoml” Witness: "If a cunning yum nuu been arranged it might have been possible for the prisoners to escape. Tho •witness added that from his knowledge of tlio prisoners he considered such an occurrence would not take place, at least until the arrival of tho See Adler’s officers. When they came he did consider the disposition of the guard, but concluded that any change would necessitate an increase of the detachment and consequently further expense, against which he had been warned.

Colonel MacDonald; "Having that feeling don’t you think you should have reported the matter?”

Witness; "I discussed tho situation more that once with the Officer Commanding tho District.” "Had you any misgivings?” "No, as I could not see what the See Adler officers could do if they did got a wav. ’ ’

"After the scare did it strike you that an attempt might, be made to take ■ tlie prisoners off the island?” "It was always in my mind that such a tiding was possible, but I did not think it was probable. ’ ’ "Did yon think an attempt to escape might be made by means of your launch?”

"I did not think it was possible because of the precautions I took.” "Did.it never strike you to place a guard on the wharf?” "I could have used 100 men if the island was to bo guarded properly.” "Although your launch was lying near the wharf and the guardroom was some distance away you did not think it was necessary to watch the launch?”

"I considered that the idea of the prisoners breaking out after lock-up time was out of the question in consequence of four armed men being on duty round the prisoners’ barracks.” "You had no system by which all prisoners should assemble at a certain point in case of an alarm?”

"There were no such orders issued to the prisoners. I do not think such a measure would havo been advisable.”

"The escort and yourself while on the launch were unarmed?” ‘ ‘ Yes. ’ ’ "Don’t yon think that was a risk?”

"No, because the two German prisoners employed on tho launch were with me the whole time I had been on the island, and I believed them thoroughly reliable.”

In describing the accommodation of the prisoners witness said in addition to two barrack buildings there w-cro small huts and tents. The .three firstclass prisoners and two second-class prisoners who escaped lived in barracks. The other second-class prisoners lived in huts. This concluded Col. Turner’s evidence. MAJOR-GENERAL ROBIN GIVES EVIDENCE. Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, Commandant of tlio Now Zealand Forces, said that in July Turner interviewed him regarding the guard at Motuihi. The necessity for tho exercise of economy formed the main topic (f conversation, and the question as to whether a police patrol should be introduced in place of guards so as to reduce the strength of detachment was discussed. He asked Col. Turner to consider tho matter and confer with the Odi or Commanding the District. On November 20 witness came to Auckland * nd again iii.tcrviewed Col. Turner, and brought up certain points which the Minister of Defence had drawn his attention to. Tlio outcome of the conversation was a memo, written by witness to the Minister dated November 23.

This memo, wag read, together with notes by the Minister upon it. The ilrst paragraph dealt with the question of waste of camp food. The second said: "Only once did it happen that a prisoner was left on the launch at night. The launch docs not belong to the Government. It is the private property of Col. Turner. On this occasion, when the night was rough and a landing could not be effected at the little wharf, they had to proceed to the sheltered side of the island, anchoring in the lee of the island until the weather abated. The commandant utilises prisoners to run this launch, and one man is always under the escort of the other hand on the launch, and is never left alone. When waiting at the depot at Devonport he is under the surveillance of a guard at the detention barracks there. In the interests of economy the hours of portion of the guard were altered more on the police system. These guards -wore sidearms only to obviate the carrying of rides. The arras and ammunition arc all safeguarded and arc available in emergency. ’ ’ The Minister’s note said: "The arms were not, in my opinion, safeguarded when I visited Motuihi. I presume you refer to a later date. —(Signed) J.A.” The report continued: "(3) All parcels coming into the island, including parcels by post, are examined before delivery to prisoners. (I) Ec visitors on passes: this concerns five married people, viz., Mrs Langguth, Mrs Hansen, Mrs Stanzer (whoso husband is very ill), Mrs Kronfoldt, and Mrs Eindt. They visit the island about onco a month. They cannot carry parcels backwards and forwards, but being able to convey verbal messages I think consideration should be given to withdrawing these passes.” The Minister’s note said: "Think all passes should be withdrawn meanwhile.—(Signed) J.A.” [Left Sitting.]