THE ARIADNE CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 319, 21 January 1902, Page 3

THE ARIADNE CASE.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The trial of Mr T. C. Kerry, Eric Frcktt,, and George Murnford, charged with pasting away on March 24, 1901, tiie yacht Ariadne on the beacli at North Oamaru, commenced in the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice Denniston and a jury of twelve. Messrs Stringer and Myers appeared for the Crown, Messrs Hanlon and SkertaU for Kerry, Mr Harper for Mumord, and Messrs Cassidy and Harvey or Freke. Before tiie jury was ernlanelled, Mr SkerraU applied for the •ase to stand down till two o’clock, is fresh evidence for accused had come to hand and had only been seen this morning. After an adjournment to Chambers, Mr Skerratt’s application yvas granted. When the Court resumed, the accused, on being arrainged, pleaded not guilty. Mr Stringer opened for the Crown and sketched the career of the yacht, from the time it came into Kerry s possession. He bought her for £2IOO and effected insurance of £20,000, with Lloyds, subsequently taking half the risk himself. The yacht left England lor Sydney in charge of Captain Willis, and called at Thursday Island to pick up Kerry. At Sydney the captain and crew were paid off, and Murnford and a new crew engaged. Later.—The Ariadne case came on today, when Kerry, Murnford, and Freke were charged with casting the vessel away. After the Crown Prosecutor had opened ' case, the following evidence was

fvcn : John Fitzgerald, Cadet S.M. Court, Oamaru, gave formal evidence as to the inquiry at Oamaru, and identified the statements made and signed by Mumford and Freke, also the letter Kerry sent to Mumford regarding the treatment of the yacht while in New Zealand. Capt. Willis, Lloyds’ surveyor at Lyttelton, repeated the evidence previously given. He was sent by Lloyds to inquire into the wreck of the Ariadne, and found her lying on her side on the beach. He valued her at a maximum of -25000. He saw a chart which Mumford marked at the Nautical Inquiry with regard to the alleged proposed and real courses; the witness explained that if Mumford s na\igation was honest it was uttcny careless o,nd unsafe. JEIe detailed the meeting bj appointment with Mumford in Dunedin at the Grand Hotel. Mumford was absolutely sober at the interview on May 28th, and ho had been sent by Detective Fitzgerald to meet him. Witness asked straight out, " Did you wreck that yacht. Mumford replied, “ I decline to answer. He was not in a position to oiler Mumford a reward then, but was in that position on May‘29tb, when he was authorised to offer Mumford £4OO. Witness detailed Mumford’s confession, and his production of the alleged agreement to wreck the -yacht. He had not communicated with the police from May 28th to October Sth. On the latter date he was forced to give up the documents to the police. He was not anxious to do so, as the evidence was not wanted by his employers for a criminal case, but to defend a civil one if brought. He was most unwilling to give up his documents and information, and ho only went to Wellington to compare signatures -on the documents with those on the . "Miautical inquiry statements. He had . instructions to make a valuation of the vessel, and estimated her tonnage at under 240. Her actual registered tonnage W Tho 'Court adjourned till 10 o’clock next day. Kerry and Freke were admitted to bail.