ALLEGED AFFRAY AT AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 118, 21 May 1943, Page 3

ALLEGED AFFRAY AT AUCKLAND

U.S. SEAPAEN CHARGED IN COURT-MARTIAL

(P.A.) Auckland, May 20. The first general court-martial held by the United States Navy in New Zealand since the Dominion regulations gave the American authorities exclusive jurisdiction in respect of criminal offences committed or alleged to have been committed by members of their forces in New Zealand, was assembled in Auckland today. Although other courts-martial have been held by the American forces in New Zealand, this was the first at which representatives of newspapers were present. Certain American sailors pleaded not guity to charges of an affray and of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline, it being alleged in the various charges and specifications against them that they had fought, assaulted, struck, caught Hold of and pulled two Auckland constables in a city street. There were two charges, first of an affray and, second, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline. The first charge had one specification or count, that

accused “did each and together, on or about April 5. in a public street in the city of Auckland, wilfully, violently and without justifiable cause engage in a fight with two members of the New Zealand Police Force, Constables V.C. Benbow and H. T. Aldridge, and did then and there, in the manner aforesaid, do violence against peace and good order of the city aforesaid, the United States then being in a state of war.” The second charge had four specifications. The first was that the four accused wilfully, maliciously and without justifiable cause assaulted Constable Benbow. Tho second was of assault against Constable Aldridge. The third was of striking, catching hold of and pulling Constable Benbow. The fourth was of striking, catching hold of and pulling Constable Aldridge. The proceedings were very much the same as th<A* at New Zealand courts-martial, with less ceremony than in the Navy but with the same length of preliminary formalities as in the Army. An hour was taken up in reading the precepts or authorities of the convening officer, in going into recess for considering various legal points, and in swearing in the Court and the Judge-Advocate and arraigning accused.

The hearing will be resumed to morrow.