LOST OVERBOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume L, Issue 5138, 2 April 1919, Page 5

LOST OVERBOARD

THE DISAPEARANCE OF PBI--1 VATE GOULD.

COMRADE’S EVIDENCE 'TO BE TAKEN IN GISBORNE. )

Press Association Telearam. DUNEDIN, April 1. The Military Court of Inquiry resumed its inquiry into the disappearance of Private George Gould from Cje steamer Maori, on February 3. Major'Fleming gave evidence as to the official steps taken on the disappearance being reported. v-vergeant-Major Wheeler, who was on the Maori when she brought the jMatatua’s draft, corroborated-Lieut. McCarthy’s testimony at the "previous sitting' as to the assistant purser of the Maori telling them that on the ilkhfc of Gould's disappearance he swhat he took to be a boy, hlincffojjled with a handkerchief, go over the side. It was possible the assistant purser said “soldier,” hut witness thought he said “boy.” Frederick, Usher, a soldier of the Oxfordshire, said that lie saw Gould on board after sailing. Gould was intoxicated, and was brought to bed by a civilian. In the morning there was 110 appearance of Gould. John McGill was Gould’s “cobber,” but witness knew him, as they were in camp together, and he would describe Gould as of a very quiet disposition, every way sound and reasonable, with nothing whatever about him to suggest that he was likely to disappear in this manner. Colonel Colquhoun. the president, said that McGill was now in Gisborne. His evidence would be taken there. The evidence of Leslie James Liste, assistant purser of the Maori, jiow on the Moeraki, also the evidence of Captain Cameron and Purser Munn, of the Maori, will be taken .in Wellington to-morrow. The Union Company handed him the following telegram from the Wellington manager:—“Preps telegrams relating to the soldier lost overboard from the Maori are entirely misleading regarding the assistant purser. The latter was working in the office with the purser when the matter was reported by another soldier. The cap r tain was immediately advised by the purser, but a considerable time elapsed before there was any mention of a man going overboard.”