SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14027, 2 April 1919, Page 5

SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE

J>~ ADJOURNED INQUIRY.

MISLEADING TELEGRAMS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday.

The Military Court of Inquiry resumed the inquiry into the disappearance of Private Geo. Gould from the steamer Maori on February 3rd.

Major Fleming gave evidence as to the official steps taken on the disappearance being reported. Sergeant-Major Wheeler, who was in the Maori when she brought tine Matatua's draft, corroborated Lieut. McCarthy's testimony at the previous sitting as to the assistant purser of the Maori telling them that on the night of Gould's disappearance he ,-?a\v what he took to be a boy blindfolded with a handkerchief go over the bide. It was possible the assistant purser said "Soldier,"" but witness thought he said "boy." Frederick Percy Usher, a soldier of the Oxfordshire, said he saw Gould on board after sailing. Gould was in-' toxicated, and was brought to bed b> a civilian. In the morning there was no appearance of Gould. Joan Campbell McGill was Gould's 'jobber," but witness k-new him, as they were in camp together, and he would describe Gould as of a very quiet disposition, and in every way sound and reasonable. There was nothing whatever about, him to suggest t'ha't he was likely to disappear in this Manner.

Colonel Colquhoun, president, said that, McGill was now in Gisbonfie, and his evidence would be taken there. The evidence of Leslie James Liste, assistant purser ©f the Maori, now on the Moeraki, and also the 'evidence of Captain Cameron and Purser Munn, of the Maori, were to be taken" at Wellington to-morrow. The Union Company had banded him the following telegram, from the Wellington manager: "Press telegrams relating to the soldier lost overboard from the Maori are entirely misleading regarding the assistant purser. Tlxj latter was working in the office with the purser, when the ma'tter was reported by another soldier.. The captain was immediately advised by the purser, but a considerable time had elapsed before there was any menti&n of a man going ovetboardi"