RED GLOW IN SKY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 10

RED GLOW IN SKY

Rocket May Have Landed A red or mauve glow, seen by persons in Riccarton and Fen dalton about 8.30 p.m. yesterday. is believed to be a type of rocket which landed in Hagley Park. Three telephone calls were received at "The Press" from persons who had seen the glow. Mr B. Lynch, of 103 Memorial avenue, was driving his car along Riccarton road towards the city and near Middleton road saw a large object glowing in the sky in front of him. It descended very slowly and he kept it in sight until it disappeared below a car in front. When he reached the roundabout at Hagley Park he saw a fiery object on the ground inside She park. With Mr D. Sherry, of 95 Salisbury street, Mr G. Browne, of 42 Westholm street, and Mr M. J. Grose, of 10 Collins street, he searched the park by torchlight.

About 200 yards inside the gates, opposite the Riccarton Hotel, they found a shallow gauge mark in the grass about 2ft long. The grass around it was scorched and a white powder was scattered about. A short distance away was a small, conical piece of cardboard painted black on the outside. There were no metal parts in the area and the object appeared to have burnt out.

Mr and Mrs W. Taylor, of 40 Chapter street, also saw the object in the south sky Mrs Taylor said she first thought it was an enormous star. It was dark red or purple and appeared to be stationary when she first saw it It left a faint white trail.