SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20690, 9 October 1930, Page 13

SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE.

EXPERTS AT WORK. PIECES OF THE WRECKAGE. FORMER STORIES DISCOUNTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received October 8. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 7. A message from Boauvais says it is understood that up to the present nothing has been found to show that the RlOl had any structural defect. It is further learned on good authority that the pieces of wreckage found a few miles from the scene of the disaster are souvenirs dropped by collectors soon after the crash. In regard to hasty conclusions based on the fact that a small, flat pieco of aluminium was found five miles away from the scene, it is stated that the piece is no heavier than a postage stamp and might easily have been carried away by the wind when the airship was burning. The various parts of the wreckage, together with the two mid-ship engines, which, remarkable to state, are practically intact, will be shipped to England for detailed examination.

A search of tho debris by tho committee of experts is still proceeding. It is hoped that official documents, even the log-book of the airship, may be found.

No official announcement will bo made until tho evidence is complete.

INJURED SURVIVOR. CRITICAL CONDITION. MR. CHURCH AT BEAUVAIS. (Received October 8, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 7. It is announced from Beauvais that Mr. S. Church, one of tho injured survivors of the RlOl disaster, a rigger, is in a critical condition in hospital. LATE LORD THOMSON. WILL MADE BEFORE TRIP. PROPERTY LEFT TO BROTHER. LONDON. Oct. 7. Tho Daily Mail says that just before the late Lord Thomson, Secretary of State for Air, left England in the RlOl ho hurriedly scribbled his will on a slip of notepaper as though he realised at the last moment the danger of the flight. The will reads: " I am setting out upon a flight to India and in case anything may happen to me I leave all the property in my possession to my brother, Colonel Roger Gordon Thomson." Colonel Roger Gordon Thomson, who was educated at Cheltenham College and the Roval Military Academy, Woolwich, joined the Army in 1898 at tho age of 20. He served in tho Great War, 1914-18, retired from the Army in 1926 and has been employed at tho War Office since 1927. WAVE OE SYMPATHY. MESSAGES TO THE KING. HIS MAJESTY'S GRATITUDE. British Wireless. RUGBY, Oct. 7. The King has received messages of sympathy from Their Majesties the Kings of Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Italy, Sweden and Norway, and from the Presidents of France, Switzerland, Portugal and Lithuania and tho Regent of Hungary. Tho Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, has received messages of condolence from Dr. Eckener and the crew of the Graf Zeppelin, and from Captain Costes and Lieutenant Bellonte, French airmen, and the Air Ministry a large number of telegrams and letters of sympathy from military, naval and air forces throughout the world.

The British Ambassador to France, Lord Tyrrell, handed to the French Premier, M. Tardiou, at Beauvais to-day, a. communication sent on tho King's instructions to the President of the Council. This expressed His Majesty's deep personal gratitude for, and appreciation of, the assistance which the Government of France and the local authorities at Beauvais and Allonne rendered, and of all the arrangements made in connection with the terrible disaster.

At tho memorial service to bo held in St. Paul's Cathedral on Friday the Prince of Wales will represent tho King, and many other members of the Royal Family are expected to bo preseut.