The Ariadne Case.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3835, 24 December 1901, Page 1

The Ariadne Case.

At the examination of the further witnesses in the Ariadne case at Christchurch, on Tuesday Alice Downing, formerly s* barmaid in the Port Jackson Hotel, Sydney, said on one occasion, in the hotel, she heard Kerry say to Mumford, " It is this way : I will give you £4OO to take the yacht out and lose her." Mumfovd said, "Itis a bargain; I will do it." Then Kerry snid, " It is an understood thing that you cany out my instructions and stick to me," and Mumford replied, " You cau depend upon me. I will stick to you" Captain Willis, who brought the Ariadne out from Cherbourg, said he could not say what the marketable value of the Ariadne was, as he was not a yachtsman, but he would not have been inclined to give more than .£2OOO for her. Andrew Olsen, an able seaman, who made the trip from Thursday Island to Sydney, said that the sails were in bad condition, and that some of the 1 spars had been left behind in Sydney Mumford promised to give him £2O out of his share, besides what Kerry would give if the yacht were wrecked finally. He refused to go in the yaaht. After the wreok Kerry visited witness every day. Kerry told him it was not wilfully done, and witness replied that he knew the Ariadne was going to be wrecked. He was promised a billet at £4 10s a week, but did not get it and shipped home Herbert James Hart deposed to how he met Kerry in London at the begining of December, 1899. He replied to an advertisement in the Daily Telegraph —" An explorer of experience, about to start on an exploring expedition, is desirous of meeting a young gentleman with capital in the same; large profits. Address, etc." Witness replied to the address given, and met Kerry at the Hotel Cecil. Kerry said that he owned the Ariadne, and proposed going trading in the Pacific Islands. He at first wanted .£IOOO, but finally agreed to accept ,£SOO, and this amount witness paid. Another young fellow named McGowan also joined. Witness said that when he ioined the sails and rudder were bad, and the food almost gone. The .-ails and rudder were repaired, and the captain sold a steam launch to provide provisions. At Sydney witness and McGowan sued Kerry and their cases were settled. *