Ariadne Sensation.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 256, 6 November 1901, Page 1

Ariadne Sensation.

[Auckland Observer.

The arrest of Thomas Cavadoe Kerry on the charge of being concerned in the casting away of the yacht Ariadne, near Oamaru, recalls the fact that this individual was occasionally a resident of Auckland, and that he had some reputation here as a New Guinea explorer. Somewhere about eight years ago, the Auckland Star published certain disclosures concerning Mr Kerry and his South Sea Island cruises, on the strength of which Mr Kerry entered an action against the Star, claiming substantial damages for libel. The projected case excited some attention at that time, but, singularly enough, never came into court. As a matter of fact, the Star elected to defend the action, and spent .£IOOO in obtaining evidence in Sydney and Melbourne, but when the time arrived Mr Kerry did not set the case down for hearing, and so the trial never took place. We have some reason ourselves to remember the matter, because having referred to Kerry’s neglect to come up to scratch, he threatened the Observer with an action, through Mr W. B.’Bloomfield, who was his solicitor in the matter. His tirst claim was for £2oo and an apology, but being anxious to leave by a certain steamer, he modified the claim to £25. This certainly was a considerable reduction, but not having any £2s's to spare, we declined to close the bargain. However, he got some satisfaction out of the business, inasmuch as Mr M. K. Keesing, who had supplied the Star with its information, retracted his statements under threat of a libel action, and published an apology. Since then, very little has been heard about Kerry in Auckland. Apropos the charge of wilfully casting av/ay the yacht Ariadne, now pending against Thomas Caradoc Kerry and another —it's interesting to know that, before the vessel left Sydney on xvhat proved to be her final cruise, Mr Kerry invited sundry local literary lights—poets and others—to go voyaging with him to the South Seas. The Illuminati, however, liked it not. Had they gone upon that unfortunate trip, says the Bulletin, heaven nows what might have happened!