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Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 10

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FOUR DEAI) IX AIR, COLLISION. Four members of the Air Forcd were killed at 10.15 this morning wlieu two planes collided one mile north of Woodbonnie. Those killed were—Sergeant Matthew William Coxon (wife, Mrs M. Coxon, Blenheim) ; Loading Aircraftman J. D. Ilowctt (wife. Mrs Joan Hewett, Wellington) ; Leading Aircraftman Clmrle-. William Hildreth (wife, Airs Audrey Hildreth, Wellington) j Leading Aircraftman Gordon Keith • darns (wife, Mrs Zona darns, Wellington).—Wellington Press Association. NAVAL TRAGEDY. The Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) regrets to announce that an accident yesterday on one of H.M.N.Z. ships resulted in the following casualties: Killed: Henry John West,' able .seaman (mother, Mrs Ida May West, Kaiapoi) ; George Edmond Mantle Allen, able seaman (wife, Mrs 1. Allen, Auckland) ; Patrick Emmett Scoullar, able seaman (mother, Mrs E. Scoullar. Wellington); and lan Keith Simpson, able seaman (mother, Airs May Simpson, Kaiapoi). Injured: Lieutenant Rex Cassey, R.N.Z.N.V.R., minor injuries and shock (wife, Mrs J. S. Casscy, Auckland) ; Sidney Douglas Sherwood* able seaman, critically injured (mother, Mrs M. Sherwood, Wellington) ; Frederick Cyril Bassett, able seaman, severely injured I mother, H. Bassett, Auckland) ; George Coombs Elliot, able seaman, minor injuries (wife, Mrs F. J. Elliot, Dunedin). An inquest was opened before Mr F. K. Hunt at Auckland. .Evidence of identification was given and an inquiry is now being held into the circumstances fummud'iig the ac.,ideift.—Wellington Press Association. PHILIPPINES SITUATION. MANILA, December 30.—United States army planes helped to beat back heavy Japanese artillery and infantry attacks 60 miles north of Manila. The appearance of the planes suggests that air reinforcements may have reached the Philippines. Refugees arriving from the Baguio region in northern Luzon reported that aid was given by fierce Igorot tribesmen, who have apparently abandoned their hostile attitude towards Christians since the outbreak of war. The refugees were fed and guided by the Igorots, who were prepared to resist the Japanese reaching their mountain territory. RELAXING RAIL RESTRICTIONS. It is announced that the restrictions on rail traffic over 100 miles will be relaxed as from Tuesday', January 6.—Wellington Press Association.