NO FURTHER NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24273, 14 May 1942, Page 4

NO FURTHER NEWS

CRASHED AIR LINER HEAVY FALL OF SNOW WRECKAGE APPEARS BURNED (P.A.) BLENHEIM, Wednesday No news had been received from the searchers for the missing Lockheed air liner up to midnight, and none is expected until about mid-day to-morrow. There has been a heavy fall of snow on the mountains. Between 20 and 30 searchers are out, including 12 from Blenheim. Further aerial reconnaissance appears to establish that the air liner was burned out after colliding with a steep rock face in thick weather. The parties from Blenheim and Nelsftn joined forces yesterday afternoon, and established a base camp at Langley Dale station, on the banks of the Wairau River, after collecting personnel and a considerable quantity of equipment required for such an expedition into rough country. The parties had only time to set up camp before dark last night. The journey was resumed before dawn this morning. It is understood the position of the wreckage has been eleariy established, and the party will be able to make directly for it, but over rough going. Since the discovery of the wreckage by Flying-Officer J. Strand and an airman pilot during a training flight yesterday morning, other machines have flown over the scene at low altitude in improved weather, The examination from the air discloses that the fuselage is blackened as if gutted by fire. The plane evidently struck the northeast shoulder of Mount Richmond at an altitude of about 5000 ft., colliding with a rocky cliff and then falling some distance downhill.

DEPLETION OF RANKS

E.P.S. AT DEVONPORT MANY MEN BEING CALLED UP A decision to communicate with the central authorities with a view to clarifying the position of E.P.S. personnel called in the ballot or compulsorily enrolled in the Home Guard, was reached at a meeting of the Devonport Borough Council last night, following a deputation of fire team leaders. Speakers said that, whereas the full quota was 168 men, they only had about 100, and this number was likely to be depleted by the recent calling up of men. Concerning a request that trenches should be provided for fire teams, the Mayor, Mr. R. G. May, replied that the borough would provide the material if the organisation could find the labour. He also stated that a system of patrol cars was being considered by the authorities, four men being needed to a vehicle. If sufficient men were not forthcoming, women might be used as drivers. Steel helmets were on hand for fire workers, but resipirators could not be secured.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

DIMINISHING REVENUE

STATE GRANT SUGGESTED

The problem of financing the maintenance of highways in view of the diminishing revenue from petrol and other taxes consequent on the restrictions on motoring was discussed last night by the Automobile Association (Auckland). It was decided to bring the subject before the North Island Motor Union and suggest that the Government be asked to make a grant from the War Expenses Account to the Main Highways Board on the ground that military traffic was principally using the road. The chairman, Mr. F. G. Farrell, said there were comparatively few private cars on the roads and the indications were that there would be less in the future. There would be little revenue from sales of petrol and tyres and the registration of cars and the Main Highways Board funds would be depleted. As the Army was extensively using the roads it was a question whether the Government should be asked to make an appropriation to tho board for road maintenance. Mr. A. Grayson suggested that any funds should be in the form of a grant aaid not a loan. Mr. S. J. Elliott said he hoped any action by the association would not be misconstrued as a selfish move. The course suggested by the chairman was adopted.

CAR REGISTRATION

EXTENSION SUGGESTED

A suggestion that the reregistration of motor vehicles should be deterred for another two months was supported at a meeting of the Automobile Association (Auckland) last night, and it was agreed to bring it before the North Island Motor Union. In a letter, a member of the association said this concession was due to motorists, in view of the restrictions during the current period necessitating the laying-up of cars. The conditions nationally would probably be clarified if the relicensing period was extended until the spring.

CENSORSHIP BREACH

"BOYISH ENTHUSIASM" (0.C.) WANGANUI, Wednesday "After reading your letter, I think it certainly contains information which would be of value to the enemy, but I am of the opinion that it was written more in boyish enthusiasm than anything else," said Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., when a youth, Kelvin Douglas Taylor, aged 19, of Westmere, pleaded guilty in Wanganui to committing a breach of the censorship regulations. He was fined £5, with costs, 12s. It was the first case of its kind to come before the Court in Wanganui. Taylor was with having written a letter containing information as to some of His Majesty's Forces and aircraft. Detective-Sergeant Robertson said Taylor had an elder brother, to whom the letter was addressed, serving in the Air Force in England. CHARGE ADMITTED HOME GUARDSMAN FINED (0.C.) PUKEKOHE, Wednesday A breach of the censorship regulations was admitted by Thomas Bell, a resident of Raglan County, in Pukekohe to-day, before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M. Sergeant Kelly said that, In a letter posted to a soldier friend overseas, defendant described activities of the Home Guard, of which he wa« a hardworking member. A fine of £2 was imposed. BEQUEST OF RESIDENCE (0.C.) PALMERBTON NTH., Wednesday Under the will of the late Mrs. D. M. Richards, of Palmerston North, her residence and furniture, as well as any money in the bank, hqve been bequeathed to the building fund of St. Peter's Anglican Church, Terrace End. Until ejcaot |