OPEN VERDICT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 7

OPEN VERDICT.

Victim of Disaster to British Air Liner. SUSPECTED INCENDIARISM. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, April 27. An open verdict was returned at the inquest into the death of Albert Voss, of Manchester, who was a passenger on the ill-fated City of Liverpool, the Imperial Airways liner that crashed near Dixraude, Flanders, at the end of March with the loss of 15 lives. The jury decided that Voss died from injuries without conclusive evidence to show why or how he left the machine. An air expert, Major Mayo, gave evidence that the fire that broke out on tho machine unquestionably began at tho rear of tho 'plane, where it was first seen. There was nothing to indicate engine failure or other defects. Voss' clothing was scarcely burnt, indicating that lie left the 'plane at the commencement of the lire but had not a parachute. Dr. Ghosh declared that Voss was neither poisoned nor shot. It was impossible to say whether he was blown out, or jumped. The coroner instructed the jury that though Voss' reputation was an unenviable one, there was no positive evidence that he was responsible for the fire.

NEW AIR ROUTE. ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA PLANS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 27. The Under-Secretary for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, in the House of Commons yesterday, said negotiations for a regular British commercial air service to and from Australia were proceeding satisfactorily. He could noi yet anticipate definitely the date when the service would be commenced.