LADY SOUTHERN CROSS SEIZED

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21315, 7 November 1934, Page 11

LADY SOUTHERN CROSS SEIZED

ALLEGED SIX-YEAR-OLD DEBT INDIGNANT DENIAL BY KINGSFORD-SMITH (united press association—by electbic TELEGKjy?H—COPYBIGHT.) (Received November 6, 5.5 p.m.) LOS ANGELES, November 5. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith's aeroplane, the Lady Southern Cross, was to-day attached in a suit filed by E. Beverley, assignee of Thomas H. Catton, a promoter, who asserted that Sir Charles owed him 2750 dollars for interest and services rendered in 1928, before the Pacific flight of the Southern Cross. Under the Californian laws it is necessary for Sir Charles to post a 5500 dollars bond to obtain the release of the machine, which is now in the possession of the DeputyMarshal. The papers were served while Sir Charles and Captain Taylor were receiving calls in their hotel suite. Astonished by the action, Sir Charles immediately called an attorney, who prepared an answer denying all the allegations. Catton claimed that he performed "work, labour, and services and advanced money" during the preparations for the first flight. Sir Charles, who was very indignant, told the Australian Press Association: "It is absolutely absurd, ridiculous, preposterous! The idea of this fellow charging that he advanced me money! He might have bought me a cigar, but if any money was advanced I advanced it to him. I mean to fight him to the last, and when the case is over I shall follow up with a damage suit against him." The records show that Catton filed a similar complaint in 1928 in San Francisco, but that it was dismissed last week to permit action being brought here. FAST PACIFIC FLIGHT PLANNED AMERICA TO AUSTRALIA IN 36 HOURS HONOLULU, November 5. Army authorities here say they were told by Sir Charles KingsfordSmith that he plans a speed flight from Oakland to Australia. He hopes to cover the 7400 miles in 36 hours, flying via Oakland, Honolulu, Suva, and Brisbane. He held a secret conference here with army technical experts to get their advice. Army officials understand that he may obtain a twoengined Lockheed Electra for the attempt. It is understood that the flight is planned for April or May. Captain P. G. Taylor has been asked to navigate. Sir Charles claims that he can make the Oakland-Honolulu hop in 12 hours, with a night landing at Wheeler Field, and reach Suva before dark the following day, flying on to Australia in eight hours.