CAPTAIN KNYVETT’S CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2759, 7 February 1910, Page 5

CAPTAIN KNYVETT’S CASE.

THE DISMISSAL CONFIRMED

[Per Press Association. | WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. The final of the Cabinet in the Knyvett case was announced today. Tlie official statement shows that Sir Joseph Ward submitted to the Board of Inquiry the complaint from the deputation that the evidence taken on tlie first day of the inquiry was not submitted to the Adjutant-General, and therefore was not available for his consideration. In recommending that Captain Knyvett be dismissed, the Board reported that no evidence on oatii had been taken on the first day. The President did- not stop accused calling further evidence, but pointed out that he was not concerned with tile truth or otherwise of the charges against the chief of staff. The Solic-itor-General expressed the opinion that the evidence was sufficient to justify as a matter of law the conclusion that Capt. Knyvett was guilty of insubordination within th e meaning of section 54 of the Defence Act. The AttorneyGeneral confirmed that. The Cabinet decided that it had no recommendation to make to the Governor, meaning that the original decision was adhered to.

CAPTAIN KNYVETT’S FRIENDS THREATEN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

AUCKLAND, Feb. 6

Interviewed in regard to the intima» tion that the Cabinet has re-considered the Knyvett case and has no recommendation to make, Mr. J. S. Dickson, chairman of the Knyvett Defence Committee, said he was greatly surprised at the decision which the Cabinet has come to. “It is evident that the whole thing was a farce,” said Mr. Dickson, “and I will call a meeting of the committee on Monday next to lay the whole matter before our legal advisers. We intend to fight the matter to a finish, and will take it- into the law courts. The Cabinet’s decision comes as a thunderbolt, not alone to me, but. I am sure, to the Auckland public, and I feel now that Mr. Knyvett has been more unjustly treated than ever. We asked that the opportunity of threshing the matter out should be given in a new trial, and that request has been refused. It can now be taken for granted that the whole of the facts will be adduced in tli’e course of a civil actions.”