CAPTAIN KNYVETT INQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2692, 23 December 1909, Page 5

CAPTAIN KNYVETT INQUIRY.

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS

{Pica Piikss Association.! AUCKLAND, Dec. 22. The inquiry into the charges against Captain Knyvett, commanding No. 1 company, Auckland Garrison Artillery, in connection with a letter addressed by him to the Minister of Defence, was continued to-day. With respect to the first charge, that he had- written the following words, “Preventing the possibility of a scandal leaking out as to the want of tact and the interference of the chief of the general /staff,” the Court found that the words had not been used maliciously. With respect to the second charge, that he used 1 the words, “It seems to me that Colonel Robin has personally gone out of his way to belittle, discourage, and damp the enthusiasm of the whole volunteer movement,” the Court decided that it was unnecessary for Captain Knyvett to call evidence in his defence. With regard to the third the use of the words, “Since these articles appear, ed I have been approached by mnay officers throughout the whole of the North Island who have had similar experiences of the unwarranted interference and unexampled officialism of Colonel Robin,” Captain Knyvett gave the names of three officers, Captain Dawson, Captain Shera, and Color-Sergeant Mackerras, who, on being called, said they had so approached Captain Knyvett, and had land experience of unwarranted interference by Colonel Robin. The president said that Captain Knyvett had established his statement-that he had been approached by other officers. The inquiry was adjourned till to-morrow.