PERJURY HINTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 139, 14 June 1929, Page 7

PERJURY HINTED.

AVIATION INQUIRY. Unexpected Turn Of Evidence In Southern Cross Case. FURTHER ADJOURNMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) SYDNEY, June 13. The Committee of Inquiry set up to investigate the forced landings of the Southern Cross and the Kookaburra, also the loss of the search aeroplane DH9A, once more reopened its sittings to-day. The tribunal comprises BrigadierGeneral L. C. Wilson, solicitor, of Brisbane; Captain G. Hughes, president of the New South Wales Aero Club; and Mr. C. N. McKay, president of the Victorian Aero Club. Mr. J. H. Hammond, [ K.C., assisted the committee. Mr. J. Cassidy appeared for SquadronLeader Kingston! Smith and FlightLieutenant C. T. P. Ulm, and Mr. Myers for the relatives of the late Lieutenant Keith Anderson. The further sitting to-day was for the purpose of enabling a witness who had read the evidence givr i yesterday by William Angus Todd, ship's officer, to recount conversations he had had with Todd on board the Makura after Todd had left Smith and Ulm in America in 1927. The new witness was Harold Lilja, representative in Sydney of a foreign firm. He said he had had many talks with Todd on the voyage from America by the Makura, but Todd never once mentioned that Ulm had suggested getting lost in Central Australia. However, when the Southern Cross was lost this year witness happened to meet Todd in Sydney.

Todd had a copy of the "Daily Guardian" and he commenced to discuss the incident of the forced landing of the monoplane. Todd described Ulm as a "crook." Witness said he asked Todd why hp thought that. Todd replied that he knew for a fact Ulm had suggested to Keith Anderson that they should get lost on a flight round Australia some years ago. Witness said he asked Todd how he knew what he said he did, and the latter replied that Anderson had told him. Lilja expressed the opinion that Todd must have lied yesterday when he swore he did not have his knife into Ulm and when he said he had heard Ulm make a statement about getting lost. Mr. Myers said the evidence had taken a startling turn. It placed Todd in a serious position. Counsel asked the committee to hear further evidence to-morrow. The chairman said the whole point at issue was as to the credibility of Ulm. Later in the proceedings Mr. Myers informed the committee he had held a telephone conversation with Todd, whose vessel was to sail this afternoon. Todd said ho remembered meeting Lilja in Sydney and discussing Ulm and Anderson with him. He was not sure what he said to Lilja. However, Todd said he recollected Anderson telling him in America that Ulm had suggested getting lost. The inquiry was adjourned. j