’PLANE WRECKAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 December 1934, Page 7

’PLANE WRECKAGE

NORTH OF HONOLULU IS IT FROM ULM’S? [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. December 20, 1 p.m.) HONOLULU, December 19. Two pieces of aeroplane, possibly from the “Star of Australia” were found this morning at Niihau, 150 miles west and north of this island, by the Robinson family, owners of that island. One piece was a strut, and another a veneer board seven feet long. The find was shipped to Kauai, thence to Honolulu by an Army amphibian. Army and Navy authorities, this afternoon will examine the pieces at Pearl Harbour, to determine if they are part of Ulm’s plane. Experts are expected to make an announcement in a few hours whether it is part of the “Star of Australia” or Other aircraft previously lost in this area. Niihau is the most northerly’ and westerly of the Hawaiian group. It belongs exclusively to the Robinson family, who are engaged in ranching there with a few natives. The schooner Lanakai, chartered by Mrs Ulm, is preparing to sail to-mor-row on a 25-day cruise of the islands, reefs and shoals westward to midway, with a crew of ten, landing parties at numerous spots for careful search. The Itasca reported that nothing was found at Johnston Island, and she is steaming to Palmyra, 960 miles south of Honolulu, returning on Monday.

EXPERTS DOUBTFUL. HONOLULU, December 19. The Army and Navy Board of Experts, examining the pieces of aeroplane wreckage, late to-day, are doubtful whether it is from Ulm’s plane. They are not ready to announce a decision until further examination. Military aircraft have heen lost from time to time in. these waters, and possibly could drift to Niihau. The discovery was made on the rocky shore of Niihau by Aylmer Robinson, manager of the ranch there for the wealthy Robinson family. It was shipped during the night to the nearest aeroplane landing field, Port Allen, Kauai, where Lieut. Russell Scott picked it up to-day, flying to Honolulu. A special board on the “Star of Australia” offers a thousand dollars reward for finding a clue, and is expected to meet soon. The board includes the British Consul, William Turner, Coastguard Commander J. S. Baylis, Navy Commander E. W. Tod. and the ex-Army Chief here, Colonel D. C. Emmondis. Ocean currents are washing Niihau more in a southerly and westerly direction, indicating that Ulm crashed to the northward, if the pieces prove part of his plane. TRANS-PACIFIC CO. (Recd. December 20, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 20. A regular New Zealand air service from Sydney and a trans-Australian service embracing Perth.', Adelaide, and Sydney, are believed to be among the immediate projects of the Great Pacific Airways Limited. The formation of this company was inspired by Ulm, but the apparent disaster that happened to him has not altered the company’s plans. Mr E. T. Fish, a director, stated that the company would carry on with its original proposals.

SMALL MAIL. MELBOURNE, December 19. The postal authorities are disappointed at the small quantity of mail received for the second London air mail, which is leaving Darwin on Friday. Whereas the first outward mail consisted of 55,967 articles, the total for the second consists of only 8,861 articles, weighing 3161b5, JEAN BATTEN. SYDNEY, December 19. Jean Batten has been selected by the Women’s International Association of Aeronautics, Santa Monica, California, as the winner of the Challenge trophy for the most outstanding flight of 1934. BOMBERS FOR CHINA. SHANGHAI, December 19. Italy’s first shipment of fifty bombers, scouters and fighting planes is due for delivery to China early in 1935. BRITISH COUNCIL. LONDON, December 19. The “Daily Telegraph” says: “It is understood that the Air Council in future will confine itself exclusively to military aviation. The present Director of Civil Aviation will become Director-General, and will be responsible directly to the Air Ministry. ANGLO-ITALIAN AGREEMENT. (Received December 20, 11.30 a.m.) ROME, December 19. Official details of the Anglo-Italian air agreement show that i( operates for ten years. It gives British air lines .the right to use a series of routes and airports in Italy itself, and Italy’s Mediterranean possessions. Italy has similar rights for a regular service to Britain at Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Palestine and elsewhere. The parties are entitled to use each other’s workshops, offices and fuel supply organisations. Italy is' entitled to denounce the agreement if British air line operations embarrass her renewal of air agreements with other European Powers.