TRAGICALLY DELAYED AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3394, 9 July 1926, Page 9

TRAGICALLY DELAYED AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT

Cobham to Decide Regarding Resumption ELLIOTT A WONDERFUL MECHANIC [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust, and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, July 7. Referring to the death of Elliott, Captain Cobham’s mechanic, who was fatally shot when on the flying trip to Australia the "Evening Standard’s” aviation correspondent says: "No mother cared for a baby with greater solicitude than Elliott watched the engine. Ho went about his job with a quiet smile, and always kept in the background. He did not think of the perils of the trip, because ho and Cobham had great mutual faith in each other and a great personal bond. No two men had flown such distances together. There is sure to be deep sadness in Cobham’s heart, Elliott was an uncanny meehanlcan. He regarded the great roaring Jaguar as something human. He could tell from the sound the slightest variation from normal, and tracked down the cause unerringly. He was the greatest favourite at St. Agnes, from whence ho came after long post-war service with the Instone Air Lino. He previously served with distinction with the Royal Air Force. He was not married but has a widowed mother at Hendon and one brother. DECISION LEFT TO COBHAM. LONDON, July 7. The De Havilands stated that they do not desire the abandonment of the flight. They arc leaving the final decision to Captain Cobham. WHY WAS ELLIOTT SHOT ? "DAILY HERALD” ASKS A QUESTION. (Received Thursday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, July 7. The "Daily Herald” finds Elliott’s death a subject for a leaderette. “Why,” it asks, "did a wandering Arab in Mesopotamia shoot at Cobham’s aeroplane V A young and useful life foil a victim to a stray bullet. Why was it discharged ? Because the British in Mesopotamia have taugnt the Arabs to look upon aeroplanes as death-dealing monsters, They have been used to bomb villagers who had not paid taxes, or otherwise objected to British rule. They spread panic and inflamed the hatred of the Arab who killed poor young Ellicutt. He doubtless thought the machine was on its way to carry death and destruction. We are reaping what wo have sown.”

OBTAINING A NEW MECHANIC. AIR MINISTRY NOT APPROACHED (Received Thursday, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 8. The Air Ministry states that it has not received any request to supply Cobham with a mechanic. It will bo quickcd to obtain one on tho spot than to send one from England, but If such a request is made, the Air Force Commander at Iraq would have to seek approval from the London manager of tho De Haviland Com. pany. It states that in reply to Cobham, ashing if it recommended him to completo tho flight, ho was informed that it was desirable to carry on if ho had no objection. The manager was awaiting his decision. There were two choices —to send out a mechanic or get one from the Iraq Air Force. It seemed most probable that the latter would be adopted. MAY BE DIFFIULT TO OBTAIN. (Received Thursday, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. July 7. The manager of the Do Haviland Company ■ points out that it may be difficult for Cobham to secure a mechanic at Basra who understands the Siddoloy.Jaguar engine which Cobham is using. They use mostly Siddeley-Pamas, which are greatly different from tho Jaguars, but there may be some used to tho Jaguars at Cairo. Elliott underwent a special course of training and study of the Jaguars. Whether tho journey is continued or abandoned, it Is necessary to provide another mechanic understanding the engine. FUNERAL OP ELLIOTT. (Received Thursday, 7.10 p.m.) BASRA, July 7. Elliott was buried in the Makinah cemetery, where thousands of men who lost their lives in tho war lie. Members of the Air Force carried the coffin. The Air Force and civil population worn largely represented. Doz. cna of wreaths covered the coffin. PLIGHT TO PROCEED. COBHAM SEARCHING FOR MURDERER (Received Friday 1.10 a.m.) LONDON. July 8. Do Havilands are sending an engineer to join Cobham, when the flight will he definitely continued. Cobham advises that lie has joined a Flight of Air Force machines, to find the spot from which the fatal bullet was fired. They have located the place within a mile. Drastic steps are being taken to find tne culprit. The Air Force machines fly daily over the spot, hut. arc never liivd on. “Wo flew low near the spot, in an endeavour to dra.w the Arab’s lire, but. without result,” Cobham concludes.