THE MOTUIHI COURT MARTIAL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11449, 31 January 1918, Page 4

THE MOTUIHI COURT MARTIAL.

PRISONERS TOOK WIRELESS PLANT. (Par Press Association.) Auckland, Jan. SO. Sergt.-Major St. Clair Keogh, in charge of the guard at Motnihi, said the sparking plug whs first taken out. of the launch Pearl at witness’s suggestion. His reason for making the suggestion . was th t an anonymous warning "was found on the floor of an orderly room on the morning of November 39 th last. The warning wss printed on a piece of cardboard enclosed in a wrapping of brown paper, on the outside marked “important,” and addressed' to Turner mid witness. The notice read: “Look your launch, there is proviant benzine and s»il for runaway to day; don’t mention this.” Witness believed it wss a hoax, but lie mentioned to Colonel Turner that it might bo advisable to remove the sparking plug. He inquired from one of the guard if Jie were the author of the warning, but no other inquiry was made as to the authorship. No surprise visits were made to the quarters of the Sec Adler men. There wore stated times for inspection. There wore on the island sheds where the prisoners could do carpentering and other work. Seme of the moil did metal work, but only one of the escapee's over did it. Tie prisoners still on Che island continue;! to do met >1 work. It was known th*t sever*! first-class mechanics were included among the Germans. Corporal John William Shaw, of the Motnihi guard, said h e Jid chocked the prisoners atk ... .. on the day of the escape. The total number was thenc ompleto. At that time the sentry should have been ou lower Hill. He saw a sentrv entering the ffi.rracks enclosure about (5.15 p.m. There was no fixed rule regarding the time the sentrv was to remain on duty on Tower” Hill. He used bis own discretion. It waa usual lor him to return about (5.80 Prisoners would have no difficulty in obt living sparking plugs as two uumps on the island were worked by benzine engines with sparking plugs. Turner’s launch was overhauled by prisoners. The benzine engines referred to were at present being worked by prisoners. I'rancis Yvninvvright bugler, who was with the escort on the launch when it visited Auckland on the day of the escape, said Freund andPaniseu while at Devouport were not out of his sight. Captain W. Bourke, master of the scow Moa, said that when that vessel was captured the Germans took on board » quantity of provisions, a rifle, a sword, a large number of ■ tools, a sextant, photographic material, a camera, batteries and a wireless plant. The provisions included eggs, oatmeal, flour, small |d ,:s °f biscuits, » little tinned meat, <>Clbs of oatmeal, coco fowls and Ho or 401bs of rice. They also had what the Germans declared to he throe bombs. No w < tor was brought on board. They also had ten benzine tins sealed, but witness could not say if they cout ined benzine. Colonel Patterson, O.C. Auckland district, said that when the scare was raised in November Last the told Turner about the matter, but did not tell him in a general way of what stops were being taken to check mate any escape. Before leaving lor Wellington ou December 11th, lie told Turner that ho was concerned about the launch Pearl. He suzgested that Turner should be careful to put the engine of the launcli out of action. Turner said that was always done when the launch was left at its moorings. At Turner’s request a letter was sent from witness’s office to Headquarters, .Wellington, asking * bout increasing the guard during the time of the scare, but up to the time of the escape no reply h»d Teen received. Ou November 26th, 1917, witness wrote to Headquarters, Wellington, recommending that ‘the strength of the guard be increased to thirty rank and file; that von Lnckner and Korsheiss bo removed to some place by themselves as they were enterprising individuals who would be better separated from the other prisoners, and also expressing the opinion that it would be expedient to prohibit any aliens, male or female, from visiting prisoners on the island. Witness knew of no instance in which Turner dealt directly with the District Headquarters. Witness had never given Turner a direct order. Witness was satisfied with the conduct of affairs at Motuihi up to the time of the arrival of the See Adler’s officers and men. During the scare period Turner had never {[said fto witness that he was unable to carry on unless lie was reinforced.

The inquiry was adjourned until to-morrow.