THE MAORI MYSTERY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 164, 5 April 1919, Page 8

THE MAORI MYSTERY

—> -— DISAPPEARANCE OF PRIVATE MOULD EVIDENCE AT TUB COURT OF INQUIRY By ToloEranh-Press Association. Durisdin, April 4. Tho Court of Inquiry into the.disappearance of Private Mould from the Maori on February 3 was resumed for the purpose of taking evidence. Leslie James List, assistant purser of tho Maori at the time, said he coi\kl not tell the Court anything whatever f.bout tho alleged disappearance of Mould. He made a statement on February 21 to an officer and non-comiiiissioned officer while crossing tho Strait to the effect that on January 27 a returned man named Mason reported to tho purser, witness being present, that about 11.30 at night ho saw a man coming out of tho steerage doorway wearing an overcoat. Ho was a thick-set man, and was smoking a cigarette. This man took a handkerchief, put it over his eyes, walked out and stood on tho rail, and took a neat header over tho side. That, was Mason's statement. Ho (List) did )-ot say he saw tho man go overboard. If any officer and non-commisioned officer had made a statement to that effect lie would contradict it.

Mr. Neill, appearing for Mrs. Mould, asked Lieutenant M'Ca.rthy whether ho was prepared to stand by his evidence that List did say he saw tho man go overboard.

Lieutenant M'Carthy; Yes, I can vouch for it.

List repeated that thero must havo been some misunderstanding. He totally denied that he at any timo said ho saw a man go overboard. Mr. Neill asked -whether there was any record of another man named Bums going overboard. List replied that there was an official record of tho ship being stopped and turned round on January 2".

Mr. Rudd, assistant secretary to the Union Steam Sliip Company, said there was no record in the company's office as lo Mould's disappearance, but thero was ii record of Burns's disappearance.. The company's impression was that it vas Burns and not Mould that Mason vas referring to. 'I'lio Court adjourned till next Wednesday.

THE BURNS REPORT WHAT A UNTON COMPANY PILE ■ SHOWED. Dunadin, April i. To-day at tlio Court of Inquiry into the case of' Private Mould it was stated (hat. a returned soldier named Mason reported to the purser of tho Maori on January 27 that a man named Burns leaped overboard. A Union Company file shows that Mason rondo tlio report about midnight, that tho purser reported the matter to Captain Cameron, who at , rnco tinned the ship round and then interviewed Mason. Others woro also interviewed. Tho captain had a doubt about tho storv, and as th'o night was dark and the wind fresh from the south and the sea choppy tlio ship was put on her course. With so many passengers it was hard to find whether one had gone. Two or throo passengers were on deck at the timo and saw nothing. To tho captain Mason said that the lost man was wearin? an overcoat. To the police at Lyfcid ton ho said the man had no overooat. Prom these and other discrepancies it was thought that Mason, who was suffering from shell-shock, imagined the story. Subsequently, however, the suitoaso bearing the initials "B.B." was found in a cabin. Thero had been no request to the military for an inquiry.