OVERSEA NEWS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 288, 21 November 1928, Page 6

OVERSEA NEWS

CABLES IN BRIEF Vestris Catastrophe: At the inquiry at New York into the Vestris disaster, the third officer, Mr Welland, testified; “Several boats did not have proper officers in charge.” He said three of tMe four boats he launched reached the water safely. He said nobody could give an accurate idea of why the Vestris sank. There was a general opinion, however, that the packing worked loose from the port door on the coal bunkers, thus causing leaks into th e engine-room. He said he discovered several such leaks and conferred with Captain Carey, who once remarked: “The situation is serious. The Vestris must be taking water from some place besides, the leaks.” But a search failed to reveal the places.

Demand for British Aircraft: Orders for British aircraft to the value of over £250,000, embracing all types of machines from small two-seater AvroAvian light aeroplanes to huge twoengine supermarine Napier Hying boats, have been received in Britain during the past few weeks. The bulk of the orders have been placed by Australia and Canada, but a considerable nmber are also being placed by Chile and Japan.

Escape of Convicts • By scooping a tunnel thirty yards long and over three feet high with their hands, sixteen convicts escaped from the Gudzindz prison. Pomeranaj. Poland, in a manner reminiscent of the Count of Monte Cristo. Their absence was unnoticed for several hours. Some of the fugitives raided a tailor’s shop ami secured civilian clothes and then stole a motor-car. None have been recaptured.