THE ARIADNE CASE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 28 December 1901, Page 4

THE ARIADNE CASE.

Further Evidence.

(PBR PBKSS ASSOCIATION.)

Christchuech, P-° 27. The hearing of tho case ap«"ost Kerry, Freke, and Mumford of conspiring to defraud the und« writers by wrecking the yacht A* yane i wa9 proceeded with in tho Court this afternoon. Annie Downing, formerly a barmaid at the Port Jackson Hotel, Sydney, gave evidence that prior to the sailing of the ya -lib for New Zealand she had seen M■! -ii ford and Kerry in the hotel on two i a coo occasions. On one of these she aua.d Kerry say to Mumford, "It is this way. I will give you JE4OO to take the yacht out and lose her." Mumford said, "It is a bargain. I will do it." Then Kerry said, "It is an understood thing that you carry out my instructions and stick to me," and Mumford replied, " You can depend upon mo. I will stick to you." The witness was cross-ex-amined at considerable length by Mr Hanlon who appeared for Kerry and Freke.

Captain Willis, who brought the Ariadne out from Cherbourg, said he could not say what was the marketable value of the Ariadne, as he was not a yachtsman, but he would not have been inclined to givo more than i£2ooo for her. He gave particulars of the gear, whioh be considered was rather indifferent. In cross-examination he denied that he had been intemperate on the voyage.

Andrew Olsen, an able seaman, who made the trip from Thursday Island to Sydney, said the sails were in a bad condition, and some spars were left behind in Sydney. Mumford promised to give him £2OO out of bis share besides what Kerry would give if the yacht was wrecked. Witness finally refused to go in the yacht. After the wreck, Kerry visited witness every day. Witness had expected the wreck, and was looking out for an account of it in the papers. Kerry told hold him it was not wilfully done, and witness replied he had known she was going to be wrecked. Kerry introduced witness to the manager of a big firm, who was to givo him charge of a schooner at £l los per week, but he heard no more, and finally shipped Home in the Austral in July, and got back to Sydney in October. He had seen Mumford and Kerry in the Fort Jackson Hotel bar.

Herbert James Hart said he first met Kerry in London at the beginning of December, 1899. Replied to an advertisement in the Daily Telegraph—- " Explorer of experience about to start on an exploring expedition is desirous of meeting a young gentleman with capital. Large profits. Addres?, etc.'' He met Kerry at the Hotel Cecil Kerry said he owned the "Ariadne" and Proposed to go trading in the Pacific slands. Kerry at first wanted £IOOO, but finally agreed to £SOO, and said there were two other young men to go with him, one Simpkins, who was in South Africa, and the other, M'Gowan, whom witness met at the next meeting with Kerry. Examined the Ariadne at Southampton, and said that she was unsuitable for trading, having no hold. She was all cabin space. Kerry said he would hire a schooner to do rough work. Kerry said he had already bought trading goods. Two nights before the ship sailed from Southampton paid Kerry £3OO and the balance at two months. Kerry. M'Gowan, and witness went to Cher bourg, the last two sailing for Durban to pick up Simpkins. Simpkins declined to join the ship. Kerry joined at Port Darwin. "Witness told him he was dissatisfied. Kerry said he never intended to trade, but meant taking up a big estate in New Britain under offer for £70,000, and forming a company, thereby making £50,000 to £IOO,OOO. Witness wanted his money back, but Kerry laughed at him. At Sydney he sued Kerry for the money and damagep, |

and the case was settled. M'Gowan also sued, and the case was settled, Kerry paying law costs. Kerry sued witness for libel, and held him in he Darlinghurst Gaol for six days. Witness instituted proceedings for false imprisonment, but all differences were settled by Kerry paying £6OO.

Mr Stringer said he would call no further evidence. The witnesses were then bound over to appear at the Supreme Court.