GETTING LOST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 689, 14 June 1929, Page 9

GETTING LOST

ANOTHER STORY ABOUT ULM'S TALK OIL MANAGER’S EVIDENCE j (( nitcil P.A.~—By Telegraph — Copyright) SYDNEY, Today. An account of an alleged conI versation with Ulm and Smith j before the round-Australia flight, | in which Ulm said that one way to get publicity would be to get j lost in the wilds of Australia, was [ related to the Air Inquiry Com--1 mittee by Mr. Studley Lush, manager of the Neptune Oii Company. ! Under cross-examination Mr. Lush said: “Uim never made any concrete proposal that they should i get lost.” The allegations were denied by Smith and Uim. FURTHER sitting was held today for the purpose of enabling a witness who had read the evidence given 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. SAID ULM WAS “CROOK” 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 cnce 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 he thought that. Todd replied that he knew for a tact Ulm had suggested to Keith Anderson that they should get lost on a flight round Australia some years ago. A STARTLING TURN 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 (who appeared for the relatives of the late Lieutenant Keith Anderson) said the evidence had taken a startling turn. It placed Todd in a serious position. Counsel asked the committee to hear further evidence tomorrow. 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 lie 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.