THE MOTUIHI ESCAPEES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11445, 26 January 1918, Page 4

THE MOTUIHI ESCAPEES.

COURT-MARTIAL OF COLONEL TURNER. THE CHARGES DETAILED. fPar Pxi-sa AKaocistiofl.) Wellington, Jan. 2-7. In respect of tho escape of the prisoners from Motuihi, the following information is given by the Defence Department lor publication:—• CODE - -MARTIAL. A gene I-:.-1 • court-martial will assomblo at Auckland on 25)th January tor tim purpose of trying Lieut. -Colonel C. H. Turner. The personnel of tho court will bo: President: Colonel N. P. Adams, O. M.G. Members: Lieut. Colonels J. L. .-Iceman, D. Pringle, E. IV. Porritt, J. A. P. Fredrick, J. Dorns and F. T. Bellringer. Wanting members: Lieut. Colonels J. P. Stevenson and T. H. Steadman.

Captain P.E. Baldwin has been appointed prosecutor. Lieut. Colonel Turner will ho charged with:—(l) Without reasonaulo excuse, allowing to escape persons committed to his charge, to wit, ono Lieut. Commander Count von Luckner, Lieut. Kirscheiss, Wireless Operator Granu, "Wireless Engineer Freund, -Naval Cadets von Zalorski, Paulson, Schmidt, Mellert and Kloha. Seamen Erdmann, and one von Egidv, a Samoan Govoi-inner.t official. ( - 2t allowing interned alien enemies to obtain possession of a launch mul make other preparations for their escape without tiking reasonable means to prevent it. COURT OF INQUIRY. On 31st January a Court of Inquiry will assemble in Auckland for the purpose of enquiring into, and reporting upon tho responsibility of Colonel G. W 7. S. Patterson and Major J. Osburnc-Lilly in respect of the escape of the prisoners from Motuihi Island. The personae! cf tho court will be; President: Colonel N. P. Adams, C. M. G. Members: Majors H. A. Cooper and W 7. ii. Fletcher. The Court will be asked to determine:—(l) Was it the duty of Colonel G. W. S. Patterson to ensure that proper precautions were t ikon to guard the prisono s at Motuihi Islincl? (2) If it wis his duty, did lie take rossonable steps to c ;rrv out such duty? (3) If it w.;s his ‘dutv and ho did not take reasonable sten's to c -rry out such duty, wrs bis failure to do so due to culpable negligence, to negligence or to a misconception of the duty c st up him or to an error of judgment? As to Major J. Oshurne LSIlv ; (1) Was Major J. Csburuo-Lilly aware of the inadequacy of the pre”cautions for safeguarding tho prisoners? (2) Did the duty of Major J. Osburne-Lilly as a staff officer require that he should take any step to remedyjsuch inadequacy, and if it was his duty to take steps to remedy the inadequacy, did ho take reasonable steps to do so? (8) If Major J. Osburne-Lilly failed to take such stops, was his failure duo to culpMile neglect, to neglect, to a misconception of the duty cast upon him, or to an error of judgment? This Court of Inquiry will bo held under tho s.;mo arrangement as the previous Court of Inquiry. It will be open to the.press and the evidence may be published. This is an unusual proceeding, and was only allowed on this occasion on aeccnnit of tho great public interest that was excited over the event. The departure from the proper and usual course Ims already caused some complications, cud it must not be taken as a precedent. It is intended tint in future, Courts of Inquiry bo held, rs they should bo held, in camera, and will not bo open to tho public or the press.