["State Steamships", The West Australian, Saturday 28 June 1913, page 11]

STATE STEAMSHIPS.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

ILLNESS OF THE MANAGER.

Owing to the temporary indisposition of Mr. Sudholz, the manager of the State S.S. Service, very little evidence was taken yesterday in connection with the Royal Commission appointed by the Government.

...

The Chairman explained that he considered Mr. Holmes was. justified in asking for documentary evidence on any point he had dealt with, but he did not think he should have access to the whole file. The point was that the Commission did not want to be burdened with files that were not material to the issue.

Mr. Holmes said that he would object to any mutilation of the files. He wanted the files put in, but he would undertake not to deal with any matters which might be found on the files, and which he had not referred to during the inquiry.

Mr. Sudholz at this stage left the Court owing to a temporary indisposition. On his return ten minutes later he stated that he had decided to waive all objections to the files being put in. He was prepared to produce anything that might assist the Commission, but he had no wish to prolong the inquiry by introducing irrelevant matter. Seeing that the management generally was concerned he thought that Captain Irvine might be able to give some valuable evidence, and he also suggested that his sub-manager should be called in regard to the question of overbooking. Having intimated that he was unfit to proceed, the chairman asked him on what grounds he asked to be excused. The Commission wanted further evidence, and unless he could show good cause the Commission would not see its way clear to grant the leave.

Mr. Sudholz replied that the chairman must see the reason of his request. Mr. Sudholz then abruptly left the Court.

Mr. Holmes: Is it necessary or desirable that I should proceed any further. I claim that I have proved everything I have said against the State S.S. Service. I don't desire to harass the department any further. My reputation has been at stake as well as Mr. Sudholz's, and the charges which I have made against the manager have been ridiculed by him and other people in higher authority. Unless the Commission desires further evidence I see no necessity to proceed further in order to prove my case. In the event of any further evidence being called I reserve the right, however, to cross-examiie witnesses. If I can be of assistance to the Commission during any subsequent proceedings I shall make it convenient to attend.

The Chairman remarked that so far as he was personally concerned, there did not appear to be any necessity for Mr. Holmes to proceed further with his evidence so far as the specific charges were concerned. The Court then adjourned to 2 p.m. On resuming, Mr. Hales, of the State S.S. office, produced a doctor's certificate stating that.he had been attending Mr. Sudholz since June 15. The certificate also stated that Mr. Sudholz was suffering from nervous breakdown, and that he was not in a fit state to undergo the ordeal of giving evidence. Mr. Sudholz had been ordered two weeks complete rest and change, the observation of which would be the quickest and most satisfactory course in the end. Mr. Hales explained that the certificate should have been produced earlier, but had been delayed, and Mr. Sudholz had decided, despite the doctor's Advice, to go on with the inquiry.

The Chairman stated that the inquiry would be adjourned sine die.