SOUTHERN CROSS LANDING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18291, 14 June 1929, Page 9

SOUTHERN CROSS LANDING.

Air Inquiry Re-opened. RECENT EVIDENCE REBUTTED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received June 13. 9.15 p.m.SYDNEY, June 13. The Air Inquiry into the forced landing of the Southern Cross near Port George in March, and of the Kookaburra tragedy, was again reopened to-day before Brigadier-Gene-ral Wilson, Mr C. N. McKay, and Captain Godfrey Hughes. The re-opening was to enable a witness who had read Todd’s evidence, to explain a conversation he had with Todd aboard the Makura after Todd left Kingsford-Smith and Uim in America in 1927. Harold Lilja, representative here of a foreign firm, said he had many talks with Todd on the voyage, but Todd never once mentioned that Ulm had suggested getting lost in Central Australia. When, however, the Southern Cross was lost this year, he happened to meet Todd in Sydney and Todd had a copy of “The Daily Guardian,” and commenced to discuss the incident. Todd described Ulm as a crook. Lilja asked him why he thought so. Todd explained he knew for a fact that Ulm had put it up to Keith Anderson, to get lost on the flight round Australia, some years ago. Lilja asked ,him how he knew. Todd replied that Keith Anderson had told him, with his own lips. Witness expressed opinion that Todd must have lied when he swore he did not have his knifte into Ulm, and lied when he said he heard Ulm make the statement about getting lost. Mr Myers (Counsel for Flight-Cap-tain Keith Anderson’s relatives), said the evidence had taken a startling turn, placing Todd in a serious position. He asked the Committee to hear further evidence to-morrow. The chairman said the whole point at issue was as to the credibility of Ulm. Mr Myers later informed the Committee that he had been in telephone conversation with Todd, whose boat was sailing during .the afternoon. Todd said fcie remembered meeting Lilja in Sydney, and discussing Ulm a’nd Keith Anderson, but he was not sure what he said to Lilja. However, he recollected Keith Anderson telling him in America that Ulm had suggested getting lost. The inquiry was adjourned.