War service: Western Front

Letter, Mr A. McKay, Licensed Interpreter (1st Grade) and Native Agent, to Minister of Defence, 2 November 1916: 'I have the honour to lay before you a grievance in respect of the conduct of one of your Officers (Lieut. A.P. Kaipara a returned soldier now attached to the 9th N.Z. Maori Contingent at Narrow Neck Camp who has lured my wife away from her home and who now lives in adultery with her, as I understand at Devonport, which Contingent is shortly to leave the Dominion for places beyond the Seas. I am sure, Sir, you will not countenance or allow a person of immoral character to be placed in command over the heads of more honourable men than this officer and so bring dishonour and disgrace on the King's Uniform which he wears and sense of shame to those over whom he has been placed as an officer ... This officer as an Instructor of the Native Soldiers will not command the respect of his subordinates - as is the custom of natives - when they gain the knowledge that the officer placed over their heads is of a doubtful character. The large wage or salary paid by your Department to this officer enables him to provide for this woman and so lead with him a life of immorality which, in honour to the King's Uniform he wears, he cannot deny. I would respectfully ask you, as my wife is a party concerned in this matter that this officer be deprived of his commission as an officer as a person unfitted to be such, and so bring him down to the grade of a private Soldier, for dishonourable conduct ... This officer has never done much active service whilst at the front, being laid up at Hospital with bodily ailments for about two thirds of the whole time he was there, and the other time recuperating ... The privilege given to officers to write and forward letters (without being censored) has enabled this officer to hold communications with my wife, without interruption, whilst at the front which has caused her to be lured away from her home on the officer's return to the Dominion.'

In the view of the Solictor-General, 22 November 1916, 'The facts stated in Mr. McKay's letter of the 2nd inst. are not sufficient to enable me to advise definitely on this matter. Speaking generally adultery on the part of an officer is not in itself a sufficient ground for depriving him of his commission. It may be, however, that the circumstances of the particular case as such that this officer's character and conduct are inconsistent with his military efficiency or with the proper administration of the Forces ... If the circumstances of the present case are thought such as to justify the dismissal of this officer it would presumably be unnecessary to proceed by way of court martial since it may be assumed that the facts cannot be denied by him. He could therefore be simply dismissed by the governor in exercise of the power conferred by the Expeditionary Force Act.'

Minute, Adjutant General, 24 November 1916, to District Headquarters, Military Forces, Auckland: 'This Office has received a communication from a Mr McKay of Wairoa, Hawkes Bay who asserts that the above named officer [Lt KAIPARA] is living in adultery with Celia Kathleen McKay (the wife of the above named Mr McKay) at Devonport, Auckland. You will quite realise the seriousness of a charge of this nature and it will require careful and confidential handling. I want you to call upon this Officer to appear before you and to affirm or deny the accusation. Whilst this social misdemeanour is not of itself sufficient to deprive an Officer of his commission yet if Lieut. Kaipara admits that he is living with this woman it should be pointed out to him that it may become of sufficient scandalous nature as to be unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman, and so be thr ground for a Court-Martial and on conviction lead to subsequent cashiering. If Lieut. Kaipara chooses to make any statement explanation or admission please accept it and forward it to me.'

Minute, OC Auckland Military District, to Headquarters, NZ Military Forces, Wellington, 1 December 1916, 1 December 1916: 'The above named Officer was informed of the charges contained in your memo. and the seriousness of his position. Mr Kaipara admitted thyat he lived with Mrs McKay in adultery from 1908 to the time of his departure with the Maori Contingent, further he admitted that three children have been born of this union, only one child is living. Since his return to duty at Narrow Neck he has refrained from living in adultery, but acts of adultery are committed when Mrs McKay visits Auckland with his child, these visits are not frequent. The position is at present not a public scandal but I consider this officer be medically boarded to ascertain his fitness for active service and if fit I recommend his early despatch with a Maori Reinforcement.'

Embarked Wellington, 2 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 27 March 1917; attached to strength of Pioneer Bn, Sling Camp, 28 March 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 2 June 1917; posted to Pioneer Bn, in the field, 12 May 1917.

Killed in action, 9 August 1917.