LIEUTENANT CRAMPTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12504, 17 December 1918, Page 3

LIEUTENANT CRAMPTON.

ASKS FOR COURT-MARTIAL.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

LIEUT. CRAMPTON ASKS FOR COURT-MARTIAL.

[From Oor Corre?pokde?ti,] •WELLINGTON, December 16.

A statement with regard to the career of Lieutenant Crampton in Samoa, and the findings of the court-martial to deal with the -case, was mado to a reporter to-day by Sir James Aden (Minister, of Defence). “It has been suggested,” said the Minister, ‘ ‘ that in view of his conduct in Samoa Crampton was not a suitable person to bo appointed as officer in charge of tho Wanganui detention barracks. Crampton originally served in tho Royal Navy, and at tho outbreak of war was a sergeant-major in the New Zealand permanent force. Ife served overseas in the present war. departing with tho main body in 18li and returning from abroad in June 1916 invalided for wounds. During his service abroad he whs promoted in the field to commissioned rank and became a second lieutenant. On bis return to Now Zealand he was selected to fill the combined offices of provost marshal and judge of the Native Court at Samoa, where his duties brought him into conflict with Germans and natives. On December 7, 1916. Crampton had occasion to call upon n certain halfoasto Samoan woman of bad reputation, to conduct some investigations which he had been instructed to make by the administrator. In the course of his duty he had occasion to again call upon her on December 8, 9 and 11. Then on December 31 he received information that the woman had ill-treated a slave girL by cutting- her shoulders with a knife, and in the course of his duty he called to see her about that.. The woman resented interference and complained to the American consul, with the result that Crampton was courtmartiallcd upon two charges, one -practically. amounting. to attempted rape upon her between December 7 and 11 and'the other to assaulting her with a walking stick on December 31. The first charge was disproved on evidence and the Court acquitted him. On. tho second charge the Court found him guilty, but the evidence was so trivial cliat the Court sentenced him only to a reprimand. The woman appears to have made no complaint whatever until she found that Crampton, a provostmarshal, was determined, to protect her slave, girl from injury. , • - “The Administrator duly reprimanded, him and he returned! to,. New Zealand with the proceedings of the courtmartial. A perusal of these. proceedings convinced headquarters,. .Wellington, that'] not only should Crampton have been acquitted of- tile first charge but also that ho should have been acquitted of the second charge as the verdict wag against tho weight of evidence. Gfampton was oinployed in one of the Wellington'defence offices until he was selected as officer-in-charge; of the Wanganui detention barracks. The court-martial in Samoa was considered in connection with the appointment and was not regarded’ as a' bar. Before ho took charge of the barracks he wont to the Terraco gaol for a month’s training in modern prison methods, and \vas considered;to be as suitable a man for the position as was likely ,to be' found. The Samoan court-martial proceedings were placed before. Mr Hewitt, S.M., on his investigation and the fact that' he has not in any way referred to the matter in his report making it evident that he considered it as of little importance.” It is also announced that new arrangements arc being inade for the custody of detention prisoners, the use of Wanganui being discontinued and the men being accommodated at Trentham, The original staff at Wanganui is now disposed of as follows.—Lieutenant Crampton is at Wanganui, for the pur?ose of handing over to his. successsor. 'ifteen have been discharged and two, who were, not directly.concerned in the matters reported on, are still-in the employment of the Defence Department at Wellington. , -

Mr Ilewitt’e report and bis findings wore not communicated to Lieutenant Cramptoh and staff, and the first intimation that they received as to the nature of the findings was when’ they were published in the Press. Immediately ho saw the nature of the report. Lieutenant Crampten demanded a for himself and his staff. A court-martial will be assembled without delay for the trial of Lieutenant Oampton and his_ staff on the charges, based on Mr Hewitt’s report,and Lieutenant Oampton is being relieved of duty pending the result.