THE MOUTUIHI ESCAPEES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11448, 30 January 1918, Page 8

THE MOUTUIHI ESCAPEES.

THE COURT-MARTIAL, Per Press ssociatiou. Auckland, Jan. 30. At the court-martial into the charges against Colonel Turner, Major L. Lilly gave .evidence that Turner, in a report on the esc ape of the prisoners, stated that ho usually personally looked to see if the launch was made rest to moorings, but on this occasion he had not done so. It had been the practice to tell the prisoners to bring the sparking plugs to him. On this occasion ho omitted to do so, and he also omitted to see that the launch was made fast at the moorings. Cross-examined, witness stated he was in charge of the prisoners, though it was his duty to deal with them. As to prisoner Erdman, witness said lie knew the Minister had forbidden his transfer to Motuihi, yet he sent him there. Instructions for the transfer emanated from Colonel Hall Thompson.