KOOKABURRA'S FINDING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 180, 27 April 1929, Page 9

KOOKABURRA'S FINDING

GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION BY PILOT BRAIN TRAGEDY REALISED ON SEEING BODY EXULTATION TURNED TO SORROW Pilot Brain graphically describes the sighting of the Kookaburra, and how the feelings of the party were turned from exaltation to sorrow on seeing the body under the wing, and realising the tragedy (hat had occurred. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Sydney, April 26. Pilot Brain, who arrived last uighl iu the Atlanta ’plane from Longreach describing the tinding of the Kookaburra, says: “We left Newcastle Waters on Sunday morning aud head ed for Wave Hill. We came over desert country with wild timber. Flying along at eighty miles an hour, the conviction was great on me that here the Kookaburra had been lost. “Suddenly I saw a faint column of smoke about sixty miles to our southwest. My companions also saw the smoke. The Atlanta came down to 2000 feet and we all watched while 1 turned the machine from side to side to look carefully underneath. When within twenty miles of the smoke, I discerned a big area smouldering and a chill struck into my heart. No ordinary chance could set the scrub on tire, as there is uo humau life in this locality except niggers, who may come along in the wet season. Aeroplane Seen Among Busk “Suddenly, I just discerned something which did not seem to belong to this desolate bush. I jumped to the conclusion that here, lay Andersons ’plane. After “continuing three miles further, I saw the Kookaburra lying there. A radio message was immediately sent out and the engine shut of' and we came low over the Kookaburra. *‘My feeiings were of pride and exultation. I thought I had arrived to rescue the two men, both persona, friends. We circled round and looked for signs of life in the machine, I swooped within twenty feet of the ground. I saw a man's figure lying in the shade of the wing. He lay as if asleep, but he was dead. “I realised the tragedy when the drone of our ’plane failed to move him. He was dead aud been so for some days. I cannot forget the inert silence of this sad figure. Certain It Was Anderson. “After circling round ten times, I became certain it was Anderson, and skirted round the 1 timing area searching for Hitchcock, but there was uo sign. Thinking, however, he might.be in the vicinity, I dropped supplies by parachutes. Landing would have been excessively dangerous and of uo use. “Exultation had been our first emo'tion on sighting the Kookaburra, but we returned to Wave Hill with our hearts full of sorrow for the crew’s < .‘tain death.” The Atlanta, which had left Wave Hill for Brisbane, was diverted at Longreach ajid covered the thousand miles from there to Sydney yesterday. PACK-HORSE- PARTY GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE Sydney, April 26. Advices state that the packhorse ( party is making excellent progress to the Kookaburra, at the rate of 36 miles a day. Air Force machines, under Lieutenant Eaton, are supplying food to the party, and also directing the party to waterholes. The party

will bring the bodies back, although there is no tidings of Hitchcock yet. . i ■ RETURN OF SOUTHERN CROSS AND CANBERRA INQUIRY INTO FORCED LANDINGS PRESS TO BE ADMITTED (Rec. April 26, 8.55 p.m.) Sydney, April 26. The Southern Cross arrived at Bulloo Downs from Alice Springs at. 3 p.m. yesterday and left, again at 7.45 this morning for Sydney. She" encountered fierce dust storms aud a cold, biting head wind. She landed at 1.40 this afternoon at Narrow Mine, 300 miles north-west of Sydney, where she will remain till to-morrow. The local population, also crowds from adjoining centres, gave the crew a cordial welcome. Smith and Ulm were wearing flying uniforms, and MacWillitlnis and Litchfield khaki. All were decked in sombrero hats. Their other clothing was left at Wyndham. The air liner Canberra arrived at Longreach yesterday, and will reach Bourke, New South Wales, to-morrow afternoon.

The Air Board has authorised the removal of the Kookaburra aeroplane, which was Anderson’s property, to Sydney. The pack-horse party trekking to the Kookaburra consists -of three whitey and several aboriginals.. who expect to reach the scene, to-night Complaints come from Perth that the Reparations Department has already stopped Mrs. Hitchcock’s pension. The Prime Minister, who is inquiring into the matter, declares that ’, understands that she is in needy circumstances, and lie will see that uo injustice is done her. The Federal Cabinet met to-day at Canberra, and considered arrangements for an independent inquiry into the Southern Cross and Kookaburra’s forced landings. The Press wi.i be admitted to the proceedings.