DEAD AVIATORS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10880, 26 April 1929, Page 5

DEAD AVIATORS.

PACKIIOUSE PAUTY LEAVJSS TO I NTER REMAINS.

TELL-TALE SIGNS NEAP KOOKABURRA.

DESI’ERATE EFFORTS TO FIND WATER. DuiUNl Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.j SYDNEY, April 24. Lieut. Eaton’s puckhorse party left Wave Hill with the object of interring the remains of the aviators at the spot of the forced landing. 'Lieut. Eaton will fly the Kookaburra hack to Wave Hill if possible.

Aeroplanes which visited the area again confirmed the*‘opinion that the mound near the Kookaburra was . a roughly-made grave. However, in view of a message from the Southern Cross that there was no trace of Air Hitchcock when it Hew over Anderson’s plane, Air Force officials are inclined to believe that the mound might come from a hole which the men dug for water. Several other holes dug show that desperate eiforts were made to find water. Also several wheel trades on the ground indicate that the airmen tried to take off.

The Southern Cross, Canberra, and Atlanta, leave Newcastle Waters today for their respective homes, having been released from the search; Air Force machines taking over the responsibility of the aerial reconnaissance over the Kookaburra from today.

The Prime Minister said the Federal Government was considering the advisability of asking the Air Accidents Board to investigate the circumstances of the forced landing of the Kookaburra. Air Bruce added that it would be fitting to erect a memorial near the scene of the tragedy to perpetuate the sacrifice of Anderson and Hitchcock.

STORY' MAY NEVER BE TOLD

IAI PRAGTLC ABJ ,E TO R E AIOY E BODIES.

ft is regarded in Aviation circles ill Melbourne that the story of the Kookaburra may never be told unless. as is just possible, entries in the log book have been left by one or the other of the fallen -aviators.

All machines engaged in the search other than those of the R.A.A.E. have been recalled, and the task of seeing to the burial of the victims lias been entrusted to Flight-Lieuten-ant Eaton, who will have them burial on the spot. It is considered impracticable to remove the bodies. The site will be properly marked. It is officially estimated that the 00-t of the search for the Southern Cross to the Federal Government has been CGOOO, of which amount petrol and transport ran into from JCI ->OO to £2OOO.

NO NOBLER EPITAPH

LOST LIVES TO SAVE OTHERS. TIMES TRIP PTE TO DEAD AVlATOßS(Australian Press Association.' LONDON. April 23. The Times, commenting on the Kookaburra tragedy, says Lieutenant Anderson and M r Hitchcock must have suffered greater distress, bodily and mentally, than the Southern Cross crew. The thing to bo remembered of both is that of their own freewill they risked the perils of flight over the inhospitable desert regions in which they came to grief. Like Captain Amundsen and Major Guilbaud and their companion' who perished in searching for survivors of the Italia. Anderson and Hitchcock set out. at duty’s call on an errand of merov. whence they came not back. They lost their lives in an endeavor to save others from a like late. Australia could not wish for them a nobler epitaph.

THE FORCED LANDINGS

GOVERNMENT INOUTRY TO BE H ELD. (Australian Press Association., (Received April 24. 9.L> p.nt.) SYDNEY, April 24. Concerning the loreed landings ol the Southern Cross and the Kookaburra, Mr Bruce lias announced that an inquiry will be held. The tribunal has not yet been decided upon, but it will not be the Air Accident Board. Tile investigation will be of wide scope and will probably result in recommendations for airernit in line with the sea law. Mr Bruee also states that instructions have been given to bring the bodies of Keith Anderson and Hitchcock ii possible to the nearest settlement in order that lliev may bo taken wherever their relatives desire.

SOUTHERN CROSS IN THE AIR

DUE AT SYDNEY TO-DAY

United Pre<"s Absu. by El. Tel. Copyright

(Australian Press Association.) (Received April 26. 1.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 25

• Amalgamated Wireless reports that the Southern Cross lclt Alice Springs at 8 o’clock this morning, landed at 3 p.m. at 800 100 Downs, and will reach Sydney to-morrow morning. Engine trouble delayed the Canberra, but she arrived at Oharlevillo this - evening. Pilot Brain and radioman Stevens flew from Brisbane to Sydney in the Atlanta and arrived to-night.

SOI'THERN CROSS RATIONS

BAD LUCK DOGGED AIRMEN FROM START.

(Special to tlie Times.) AUCKLAND, April 25. It appeared, that bad luck dogged the Southern Cross airmen. ; Emergency rations- were taken out in Sydney lor renewal, hut bv some mischance they were not placed aboard lignin. “I don’t often slip on organisation,” said Kingston! Smith, “but wo certainly did (bis time.” 'Tlie men, according to Australian papers, displayed remarkable »'estraint in the parcelling •out of the rations, as may be judged Dom the fact that the very scanty supply tf&S made to last so long. Th« gruel \vas rationed until it tastvM lil<o water. The wild beati9 ouMwi were booked in Salt water becauno hie men had no salt. They are •ealß only seed pods, lin'd hard *iv«n when green, and nutriment therein, must be scanty indeed, The *«sone aeroplane took back a sample.. The men. as already stated w<<f>, 'a.lsL forced to eiit mud snails, thnufch it was not always possible to obtain ’ these owing- to the tide covering the mud among the mangrove?. C