RESCUE AT SEA

AMERICAN AIRMEN NEW ZEALANDER3' PART DRAMATIC AND PERILOUS (K.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) MUNDA, April 23 In one of the most dramatic and perilous sea rescues of the South Pacific, two Venturas of the Royal New Zealand Air Force were instrumental in saving the lives of American fliers whose aircraft crashed off the Japaneseoccupied Ballale Island, south of Bougainville. Japanese shore batteries plastered the area with intense and accurate shellfire, and although they failed to prevent the rescue their gunnery score was two Gatalinas and three escorting Lightnings damaged. An American Ventura was hit by flak over Mahili, the gunner being killed outright and the machine badly damaged. Its bombs were jettisoned over a small island and an attempt was made to reach the nearest Allied ba,se, but the aircraft was unable to maintain height and crashed four miles from Ballale. One member of the crew was critically wounded and later died aboard a life-raft. Meanwhile a New Zealand Ventura, piloted by Flying-Officer A. 11. Miller, of. Auckland, "and including in its crew Flying-Officer H. F. Gauit (Ohristchureh), Pilot-Officer O'Sullivan (Auckland), Flying-Officer B. R. Philip (Amberley) and Sergeant 1). F. Bennett (Nelson), was returning from a patrol down the coast of Bougainville when the American aircraft was seen dropping its bombs and apparently making a low-level attack on Ballale. Rubber Dinghies Dropped Shortly afterward the New Zealariders looked again to see smoke and flames rising 150 feet. They turned hard to port and, arriving over the spot, saw burning wreckage and the four survivors huddled together in the water with no Mae Wests, life-ralts or other emergency gear. A second New Zealand Ventura, with Flying-Officer 11. L. Shuttleworth, of Nelson, as pilot, and Flight-Sergeant E. Millar (Auckland), Warrant-Officer A. G. Hoskings (Waipara) and FlyingOfficer N. 1). McKay (Wellington), as the orew, was on its way north on a patrol mission and, noticing that something was amiss, also made for the scene. Both aircraft ran in low and dropped rubber dinghies, which fell within five yards of the men. Flying-Officer Shuttleworth flew off to an island held by the Allies, while his companion remained in the vicinity to prevent a possible Japanese attempt to capture the survivors by boat from Ballale. At the Allied base, the Ventura delivered its message, returning then to join in circling over the dinghies.. Escorted by four Lightnings, "Dumbo." a Calalina flying-boat engaged in air-sea rescue operations, arrived and, led in by Flying-Officer Shuttleworth. made a good landing on the water.

Shells Bursting All Around While the Catalina was taxi-ing to the survivors, 13 all aI e opened up with four or five-inch guns, overshooting at first, but improving the range until shells were bursting all around the rescuers and circling Venturas. When the Lightnings saw the enemy firing they streaked down on Ballale in strafing' attacks in an endeavour to silence the guns. Defying danger, "Dumbo" picked up three survivors and took off, leaving two of the crew with a wounded man. Just as it moved away a shell landed right on the spot whore it had been. Soon afterward another Catalina patrolling off Buka intercepted the New Zealanders' report of the finding of survivors and flew down over the area. Sighting the two dinghies in the water it landed and picked up the remaining men amid a rain of shells from Ballale. A third Catalina appeared and received the same hot reception when it alighted to investigate the dinghies. The New Zealand Venturas were not hit and after escorting "Dumbo" out of the danger area Flying-Officer Miller returned to 11 is base to refuel, while Flying-Officer Shuttleworth resumed his patrol. GARDEN EMPLOYEES ALLEGED VICTIMISATION ONE APPEAL ALLOWED Decisions in the three cases in which employees of the State vegetable-grow-ing project at Otumoetai appealed against their dismissal were given by the Auckland Manpower (Industrial) Committee on Monday. The cases were heard at Tauranga on Friday, the grounds of the appeals being alleged wrongful dismissal and victimisation for union activities. The appeals by Charlie Pihema and Dennis Sharinan Turner were dismissed. In the case of Harold Frank Julian the appeal was allowed, the worker to be reinstated. The employer was directed to pay him full wages in respect of the time lost in consequence of the termination of his employment. Earnings from other sources since the termination of his employment were to be deducted from the amount payable by the Department of Agriculture. TIIEFT OF JEWELLERY SHOP WINDOW BROKEN (P.A.) ASHBURTON. Tuesday Between £BO and 110') worth of jewellery, chiefly men's watches, was stolen from Robilliard's jewellery shop in East Street on Sunday night. The articles were taken from the window, which was smashed. The same premises were entered by thieves 13 years ago, when articles valued at £370 were taken. REDUCTION URGED E.P.S. EXPENDITURE A drastic reduction in the expenditure of the Auckland metropolitan organisation of the F.P.S., and its reconstitution on a pre-war basis to meet emergencies arising from epidemics, floods and other causes were urged in a resolution adopted by the Otafhuhu Borough Council on Monday night. Members expressed the opinion that the present scale of expenditure involving they alleged an outlay of about £4O a week in administrative expenses was not justified. Commenting on suggestions that the organisation should be disbanded, the Mayor, Mr. C. It. Petrie, M.P., said it would be wrong to break up one organisation before some other was formed in its stead. "We cannot forget the tragic experiences of 1918 when an epidemic swept the country," he added. "Under the E.P.S., there is a central medical organisation which should not bo disbanded hastily. While the invasion danger has passed we should not get too complacent." Mr. W. Morton said that some local bodies favoured the establishment of local committees to deal with any emergencies. With other members lie doubted whether in any epidemic the outer suburbs could look to the city for assistance with medical units. The council decided to urge that all expenditure on shelters and similar aspects of the E.P.S. should be cut down and steps taken to develop the organisation on the lines of the original peacetime proposals. MENTAL PATIENT'S DEATH (P.A.) _ WELLINGTON. Tuesday An ihquest was opened at the Porirua Mental Hospital yesterday to inquire into the death of n patient who died on Friday night allegedly as a result of a blow on the head struck by another patient with a broom. The inquest was adjourned. Police inquiries are proceeding.