HOT PURSUIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 7

HOT PURSUIT.

GREAT PIRATE HUNT.

Sea, Land and Air Forces Unite

In Far East.

2 CAPTIVES REPORTED TREED

(United r.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 10 a.m.) SHANGHAI, June 20. As a sequel to the looting of the British steamer Shuntien by pirates on Sunday night and the carrying off of 26 hostages, airmen in machines from . the British aircraft-carrier Eagle reconnoitred over the Shantung coast to-day in the vicinity of the spot where it is believed the pirates landed. It is reported from Weihaiwei "that two of the pirates' captives were released, Mr. Graeme Nioholl, an insurance manager, and Mr. McDonald Watson, the third engineer of the vessel. Details, however, are lacking. An aeroplane is reported to have seen three foreigners in a small sampan waving a white flag, but having no floats the 'plane was compelled to return to the base. The most intensive pirate hunt in the history of China is now in progress, sea, land and air forces co-operating. Han Fu-chu's troops have been dispatched for the purpose of forming a cordon, in the hope ol" cutting oft' the pirates' retreat inland. It is reported, however, that the pirates have gained the mountains H0 miles from the coast, and it is believed the task of dislodging them will prove most difficult. The British firm which operates the line including the Shuntien announces that in future it will not accept Chinese passengers other than Government ollicials and merchants known for a long time to the company. Foreign circles are highly Indignant over the latest outrage. The "North China Daily News" suggests that China, without loss of dignity, could consent to naval action by Britain and Japan for tho purpose of destroying once and for all these pirate haunts, which are a continual source of danger to shipping.

RESCUE FROM SAMPAN.

BRITISH WARSHIP ON PATROL. (British Official Wireless.) (Rcccivcd 1 p.m.) RUGBY, June 20. British seaplanes reconnoitring from the aircraft-carrier Eagle are reported to have picked up Mr. G. D. Nicholl and another who were kidnapped by pirates from the steamer Sliuntien near the mouth of the Yellow River in China on Monday. lie was found in a sampan accompanied by a Chinese, probably one of tho 20 natives who were made prisoners at the time. Tho pirates are believed to have numbered IJO or more. They arc thought to be Shantung men. All of them were armed. The British destroyer Veteran is patrolling the coast near where the captives are believed to have landed.

AIR RACE TRAFFIC.

PROBLEMS AT CONTROL POINTS

LONDON, June 14,

Measures to prevent congestion and delay at the control points in the Melbourne Centenary air race, are being discussed. The oil companies probably will co-operate at Bagdad, where there is a common supply of Iraq Persian spirit. The Vacuum Oil Company proposes to have a separate dump for each competitor, staffed by natives and superintended by a European. It will instal apparatus to fill 500 gallons in half an hour. The Shell Company told the "Sun" it had completely organised the whole route, but an expansion of facilities would be necessary. "Jimmy" Mollison said that a delay at Bagdad would be serious, and the first competitor to leave there would have precedence at subsequent and worse-equipped points. There had been a tendency in the King's Cup and other races for 'planes to bunch together, and, therefore, precious hours might be lost awaiting service. The race should permanently speed up aerodrome facilities and Customs inspection along the route. "We have inspected the Comet that is being constructed for us, and are confident that its speed will be 230 miles an hour," said Amy Mollison. "We hope to receive the 'plane early in September," she added. "My husband and I intend to have a holiday in Australia and keenly anticipate the renewal of many friendships."

DEATHS DUE TO HEAT.

BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA,

LONDON, June 10,

The belief that tlie 123 victims of the black hole of Calcutta died of heat stroke, and not asphyxiation, as hitherto supposed, is advanced by Dr. Joseph Barcroft, Professor of Physiology at Cambridge University, one of the greatest authorities on respiration.

The professor frequently risked his life experimenting during the war. Once, when scientists were disputing the efficacy o,f prussic acid gas in warfare, he went into a gas-filled chamber with a dog. The dog died within 95 seconds, Professor Barcroft walked out unscathed. Referring to the problem of protection of London from ail - raids, the professor says that a possible procedure is to have subterranean rooms in which essential services could be carried on. "I was asked," he said, "how many could work in an unventilated room of a certain size, which in a small way is the problem of what killed the people in the Black Hole of Calcutta. The experiment showed that if there was 110 through current of air, and the amount of licat produced by the persons therein is greater than the walls can carry away, the temperature of the inhabitants must rise, in extreme cases fatally."