AIR INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1929, Page 6

AIR INQUIRY

ANOTHER WITNESS. (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, June 13. The Air Inquiry was again re-open-ed to-day, to enable a •witness who had read the witness Todd’s evidence to explain a conversation that lie han with Todd aboard the “Makura,” hfter Todd had left Smith and Ulm in America in 1927. Harold Lilja, the representative here of a foreign firm, said that lie had many talks with Todd on the voyage but Todd never once mentioned that Elm had suggested get ting lost in Central Australia. When, however, the Southern Cross was lost this year, he happened to meet Todd in Sydney, and Todd had a copy of the “Doily Guardian,” •and lie commenced to discuss the incident. Todd described Ulm as a “crook.” t'uj.-i stated he asked Todd why he thought so. Todd explained that he kn-'W for a fact, that Ulm had put it up to Keith Anderson to get lost on « flight round Australia some years ago. He (Lilja) then asked him howlie knew. Todd replied that .Keith Anderson had told him with his own lips. Witness expressed the opinion that Todd must have lied when he swore that lie did not have his knife into Ulm, and must have lied when he said tha.t ho heard Ulm make the statement about getting lost. Mr Myers, counsel for Anderson’s relatives, said that the evidence had taken a startling turn, placing Todd in a serious position. He asked the Committee to hear further evidence to-morrow. The Chairman said that the whole point at issue was as to the credibility of Ulm. \ TODD CONFIRMS TITS EVIDENCE. SYDNEY, .Tunc 13. At the. Air Inquiry, Mr Mvers later informed the Committee that he had had a telephone . conversation with Todd, whose boat was sailing during the afternoon. Todd said that lie remembered meeting Uiljn in Sydney, and dismissing with him, Ulm and Anderson, but he,was not sure of wliat lie had said to Lilja. However, he recollected Anderson telling him in America, that Ulm had suggested getting lost. The inquiry was adjourned.