THE ARIADNE CASE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7369, 22 January 1902, Page 2

THE ARIADNE CASE.

(per press association.)

Christchurch, January 21. Captain Willis, Lloyds' agent, said that in the interview with Mumford at the Grand Hotel, Dunedin, on the night of May 28tb, Mumford was evidently distressed, and witness was careful not to take undue advantage of him. There was another interview next morning, when a verbal confession was mide. Witness was insistent that no promise of reward or remuneration was made. The statement by him in the lower Court that such was the case was incorrect. It was at a subsequent interview that £400 was promised if Mum-

ford put his confession in writing. At tho first interview, Mumford mentioned that Warner, cook of the Ariadne, said he had overheard the conversation, and would know something about the agreement to cast the yacht away. He did. not mention this in the lower Court or yesterday, as it had escaped his memory. He would swear he had no recollection of asking Mumford for any document or letter incriminating Kerry at any interview on May 29th.

Witness examined the agreement critically at the time, but had not noticed some words produced in 'agreement. The agreement read : " Sydney, February 25, 1901.— 1, T. C. Kerry, agree with G. Mumford to pay as wages the sum of £12 per month for services as master of the yacht Ariadne from the date of signing articles at Sydney, and a written sum of £400 if the vessel be totally wrecked. (Signed) T. C. Kerry, owner ; E. J. H. Freke, witness." Using a magnifying glass, witness failed to see signs of retracing. A. H. Bosworth, bank clerk, said the signatures on the alleged agreement with T. C. Kerry and on the nautical inquiry depositions wece written by the same person.

A SENSATIONAL DENOUEMENT.