THE MOTUIHI ENQUIRY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17212, 13 February 1918, Page 5

THE MOTUIHI ENQUIRY.

WELLINGTON, February 12. The Court of inquiry into the responsibility of Colonel Patterson and Major Osbiirne Lilly in the escape of the German prisoners from Motuihi sat at Wellington to-day. Colonel Tait, Ad-jutant-General, said he took over his command from Colonel Pilkiugton on May 11, 1916. He ha-, no conversation with him regarding prisoners of war. The President: Can you give us t'ne general chain of responsibility.

Witness: T>he Minister is responsible

to Parliament, the General responsible to the Minister, and, as far a.* my branch is concerned, I aru responsible to the General. Then my directors are responsible to me. We are responsible to do that work which the Gcner?! entrusts to us. The offcer cornm jading the district is responsible to the General. Tno O.C.D. commands the district and all those wit&in it, and everyone within the district is responsible to him. Since the escape he had seen a letter from Colonel pilkington to Colionel Turner appointing him as commandant at Motuihi. Until then he had no reason to suppose the normal chain of responsibility had been in any way disturbed. When witness was appointed Captain Skolley was Assistant-Adjutant-General, and had charge of t'ae prisoners of war. He had 110 conversation wit*i Skelley regarding the r: isoner Major Lilly took over from Skelley. Major Lilly never made reports to him on the subject of the prisoner. Colonel Tate, continuing his evidence at the Motuihi inquiry, said lie regarded Major Lilly as responsible for the branch relating to prisoners. Regarding the letter he had written to Colonel Patterson, he said the position was that Parliament was just about to sit or was sitting, and several awkward questions came down from the Minister which had to be answered promptly. Previously there had been a great deal of correspondence and discussion as to the drinking facilities given to prisoners of war at Motuihi, .and for going ashore to hotel*; and the consequent disturbance of the public mind. He believed that had been checked. He fully expected that during Parliament the Minister might be bombarded with questions. It occurred to his mind on** day to write to Colonel Patterson personally, so that witness might be sure when a question came up that Patterson had been already apprised and witness be able to give an answer to Parliament promptly and correctly. He still took up the position that he was responsible to the General for everything in connection j with the prisoners, although he might not handle them. The escape of the prisoners was a slur on his department. I It would never have occurred to him to write to Colonel Turner that he wanted the O.C.D. to be alive to the position, and when he sent a frantic telegram he should be able to reply. No report had been made to him that a launch was there; it came to his knowledge at the time of the escape. He had never been on the island, as lie had never had time. No authority had been asked for or obtained to keep the launch.

Major-General. Robin said he did not ccc the letter from Pilkington appointing Turner commandant at Motuihi until the present inquiry. He was still of opinion that the normal chain of responsibility was not upeet in any way. Colonel Gibbon said he could not remember Pilkington showing him a letter. As he remembered it, Pilkin<rton's idea was that the commandant at Motuihi should deal direct with headquarters on matters affecting the prisoners personally, and everything else should be dealt with through the district. When the enquiry resumed after the midday adjournment. Colonel Hume commanding the Wellington Military District, gave evidence. He said thai he .had been in command of the Auckland District from November 1914 until May 1916 before Colonel Tnrner took over command at the island and afterwards. He had always considered that the island was under hia command as officer commanding the district. He had never had any orders to this effect, but had always taken this to be the position. He did not think at the time tfhat a letter of instructions of Col. Turner disturbed the chain of communication m any way. He considered that he was in charge of the island and he held Coionel Turner to be responsible to him tor the- discipline of the camp and for safeguarding prisoners of war. He was quite satisfied with the conduct of alrairs there, and if there were occasions when he was mot satisfied ,>n partoular points he was qute surie that he would tell Colonel Turner so. AVl)en he handed the district command \ to Colonel Paterson he did not remember that he made any remarks about Motuihi He considered it was supply a branch of the district on

which there was nothing calling for special mention.

The President: If you were in direct control of the island can you account for the fact that a lot <if correspondence concerning buildings and other matters were sent direct to General Headquarters by Colonel Turner, and that some of the correspondence in reply went direct to him and some of it to District Headquarters? That may have been done, bu^ Colonel Turner would have informed me with regard to that correspondence and that if there was anything in it I would he bound-to know it. I haveevery reaso nto believe that lie did tei! me what lie was doing in regard to correspondence with General- Head quarters

Colonel Patterson—Did you not think the letter appointing Colonel Turner was a bit ambiguous,?—Weil, it might have been.

It would bo quite possible for another officer to take a view different from that Lakeu by you—Oh, yes, quit.' jpoasiMc^ Doixs Somes Island come under tlio jurisdiction of Wellington Military District?—Xo.

Can you explain why Motnibi should then, come under the Auckland Military District? —I have never raised the question. Somes Island has never Ween the subject of one word of discussion or correspondence between Wellington District and Headquarters. When 1 came here I considered it was ;i sel''-supporting unit like Fcathcrston and Trentham ramps.

If prisoners got away from Some*-, to-night, would you consider yourself responsible?- —I certainly should not. Are you aware how internment camps are conducted in England?-— !No ,1 have neer looked the matter up. Colonel Paterson —They are conduct-

Ed by the War Office. I suppose you ed in Australia ? —No.

are not aware how they are conductThe President —And Somes Island is in the Wellington District —Yes.

If vSomes Island does tmofc come under the officer commanding the district, why should JMotuihi. It seems to mo that it is a mat-tor for Head•qmartens to answer. If you ask my opinion, I presume the reason is that Somes Island is immediately in sight of Headqartors here and can l>e comninicated" with readily by Headquarters while Motuihi can not . You left a district where, there was iin internment camp for which you considered yourself responsible, and you came to a district in which there was another internment camp. Did you noc consider that this internment camp should sil*o come hnder your jurisdiction as Officer Commanding the District? I have given that matter some thought. had no instructions on the point! and I take it that if Somes' Island had been in mycare I would have i had some correspondence, on it. j

This concluded the evidence of the inquiry.' It may be that some witness or witnesses will have to he recalled, but that is not the present intention of the Court.