THE ARIADNE CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7237, 25 October 1901, Page 3

THE ARIADNE CASE.

+-, MAGISTRATE'S COURT PROCEEDINGS. APPEARANCE OF THE ACCUSED. Freke and Kerry, who were remanded from Sydney in connection with the Ariadne case, arrived in Lyttelton this morning by the Taluue, in charge of Chief-Detective JM'Grath, of Wellington, and Constable M'Leod. Senior Detective Goulder, of ths New South Wales force, who made the arrests, also accompanied them. Several witnesses, both male and female, came over by the same boat. At t^e Magistrate's Court 'this morning, - Kerry and Freke appeared before Messrs Prudhoe, Minsoir and Richardson,, J.IVs The charges were similar to those brought against Mumford, i.e.. conspiring in Sydney on Feb. 25. todefraud the underwriters, forming a. common intention to cast away the yacht, and casting it away on. the New Zealand coast on -March 24, in conjunction with Mumford. ; Mr Stringer appeared for the Crown, and said that arrangements had been made for the Magistrate 10 take the case on Thursday nest. He therefore asked for a remand unr.il that date. Kerry appfed for bail. "I may say that we are perfectly innocent - in every sense of the word," he stated. "We have now been locked up for over fourteeni days, and have bad no opportunity to employ counsel." Mr Stringer «ud that Ivs would not object to bail, but pointed out that the charge wa>3 a. very serious one, and that bail had been refused in Sydirey. If bail wei© allowed, he would ask that it should hz very substantial. Kerry said thav bail hud been refused in Sydney bscausi.} instructions to thait effect were telegraphed ivcm N«w Zealand ; otherwise it would have been granted. Ho reiterated his .protestations of innocence. Freke made no remarks. The Bench -granted the remand until next Thursday. The accused were informed thai if they desired bail they must apply to the Magistrate to-morrow.

The Lytteltan correspondent of this paper writes: — Kerry and Freke, charged with complicity in intentionally wrecking the yacht Ariadne, with intent to defraud the "insurance companies, arrived from Sydney by the s.s. Talune this morning, iv charge of Chief-Detective M'Wrath, of Wellington, and Constable M'Leod, of Christchurch. During the voyage the prisoners and their guardians, who occupied a saloon state-room aft, appeared to be on very good terms. They took their meal? together at the saloon table, and spent a considerable time sitting en deck. Of course, the police never let their charges go out of their sight. On arriving at Lyttelton they went to Ghristchureh by the 9.25 a.m." train. Detective Goulde'r, of Sydney, who arrested the prisoners, oame over in the Talune to give evidence, but did not take part in guarding them.