NAVAL COURT-MARTIAL.
AUCKLAND, This Day.
A Court-martial is being held aboard the warship Diomede. The prisoner is C.P.O. Robert Lindsay Parker, who is charged with smuggling whisky aboard. The defence is a general denial. -Evening Post, 11/1/1929
PETTY OFFICER DISRATED.
SMUGGLED WHISKY ON BOARD.
[THE PRESS Special Service.]
AUCKLAND, January 11
At a court-martial held on board H.M.S. Philomel to-day, Chief Petty-Officer Robert Lindsay Parker, of H.M.S. Diomede, was charged with smuggling whisky into the naval base on December 29th. Alternative charges were of being in possession of smuggled whisky and of failing to prevent whisky from being stowed in an improper place, namely, the boatswain's ready-use store in the Diomede, a store for which he was personally responsible. Captain C. N. Reyne, Second Naval Member, presided. Six witnesses were called for the prosecution. A general denial was made on behalf of the prisoner, the evidence of two petty-officers being heard on his behalf.
Parker was found guilty on the major charge of smuggling whisky into the base, and the alternative charges were therefore dropped.
The sentence of the Court was that he should be disrated to the rating of leading seaman and be deprived of two good conduct badges.
Unlike courts-martial in the army, the fact that he was found guilty was conveyed to accused immediately, and he was also acquainted with the sentence. In the army the accused deduces from the action of the Court in calling or abstaining from asking for evidence of character whether he has been guilty or not, and sentence is left confidential until it is confirmed by the officer who convenes the court-martial. -Press, 12/1/1929.
FOUND DEAD.
Robert Lindsay Parker, aged forty, who lived in rooms at 272 George street, was found dead this morning. He was lying beside a gas tube, the gas being turned on. As far as is known the deceased was a native of England, and had no relatives in New Zealand. An inquest will be held to-morrow morning. -Evening Star, 23/12/1931.
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES
INQUESTS
MAN FOUND GASSED.
An inquest concerning the death of Robert Lindsay Parker, who was found dead in his room on Wednesday morning with the gas turned on, was held at the Morgue on Thursday, Mr J. K. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting as coroner.
Maurice James Carey gave evidence of identification and stated that the deceased, who was an ex-naval man, rented the kitchen and upper portion of his premises at 272 George street. About 9.25 o'clock on Wednesday morning witness came through the passageway and noticed that the kitchen door was closed. On opening the door he noticed a strong smell of gas, and investigation revealed the deceased lying on the floor covered with an eiderdown quilt. Witness turned off the gas, and on doing so saw that a rubber tubing led from it under the quilt. He then informed the police. Witness last saw the deceased on Tuesday evening, when he appeared to be in good health and spirits, but he appeared to have had one or two drinks. He had not at any time mentioned taking his life, but witness knew that he had been worried over money matters.
Constable Kirk stated that when he went to the deceased’s room life was extinct, and he had the body removed to the Morgue.
A verdict of suicide by gas poisoning was returned. -Otago Daily Times, 26/12/1931.
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