FIFTEEN IN CRASH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24541, 25 March 1943, Page 5

FIFTEEN IN CRASH

AUSTRALIAN AIRLINER MACHINE BREAKS ITS BACK SYDNEY. March 24 The two pilots and the air hostess were severely injured and one passenger hurt when the Douglas airliner Warana broke its back in a forced landing soon after leaving Essendon, Melbourne, for Sydney last Friday morning. Although their clothing was torn when they were thrown from their scats, none of the 12 passengers was seriously hurt. Une passenger suffered ankle injuries, but was not taken to hospital. Captain Douglas E. Barker, aged 35, of East St. Kilda (compound fracture of the leg and severe shock), First Officer Leonard H. Grant, aged 28, second pilot, Thornbury (severe head, hip and thigh injuries), and Veni Vernon, aged 27, air hostess, of St. Kilda (lacerated scalp, thigh injuries, and severe shock) were admitted to Royal Melbourne Hospital. Their names were placed 011 the danger list. Sabotage Not Suspected The plane had left the aerodrome for Sydney at G a.m., carrying 10 Army officers and two civilians 011 urgent defence work. Police and civil aviation authorities are investigating the crash, hut sabotage is not suspected. It is thought that when the plane left the aerodrome the pilot experienced engine trouble and had difficulty in gaining height. Two miles out the plane was not sufficiently airborne to he turned back to the aerodrome and the pilot decided to make a forced landing in a paddock. The plane skimmed over a house near by and made a pancake landing in the paddock with such force that the machine bounced over a fence, nosedived, swung round, and the body of the plane fell hack with a crash that nearly divided it. Oil poured over the wreckage but did not ignite, and the plane did not overturn. Engine Flung 50 Yards An eye-witness snid that he heard the roar of engines only 200 ft. overhead. The engines were running unevenly and the plane lost height rapidly. After it first hit the ground the air-screw scored a furrow in a paddock for about 200 yards. When the plane bounced over tile fence it came to rest within 15 yards. One engine was found in the wreckage, and the other was flung 50 yards. The victims were quickly pulled from the machine by passengers, and they were given first-aid treatment by an Australian Army doctor who was travelling in the plane. They were then taken to hospital bv Service ambulances. BOWLING CHAMPIONS SUCCESS OF R. McMASTER G. DILLY WINS JUNIOR TITLE At the end of eight rounds of play the champion of the various club champions was found yesterday on the Carlton green when the Stanley club's representative, R McMaster, vanquished in the final game the Mount Albert champion, J. It. Walker, the game ending with two heads not played and the figures reading 24—1 2 Walker, who sustained his only previous loss in the third round at the hands of T. R. George, Epsom, by a couple of points, turned the tables on his more senior opponent, A. Munro, Devonport, when the pair met in the semi-final game, the score being 28 to 8. Munro earlier had eliminated W. Franks, the 1939 New Zealand champion. Walker played steady bowls, but on meeting McMaster his game deteriorated. The Stanley champion, by the aid of a run of scores, 2, 4 1, on the opening heads, quickly had a firm grip on the game. From the sixth to the ninth head he added 10 points, the score then reading 17—3. Thero was even scoring over the last six heads but when the 10th head was reached Walker realised his task was impossible. As a spectacle, the final game did not hold much interest. McMaster, who won the same title in 1934, has been prominent in open bowling circles ever since that time, The champion of the first-year players proven to bo G. Dilly, Edendale, who, like the senior champion, retained his unbeaten status throughout the series. Dilly's opponent in the final was the Auckland club's candidate, S. W Jolly. The latter required two points to square the game on the last head. Holding one good shot he was unable to add the other ono. Details of the play:— Senior Championship.—Sixth Round : R. McMaster (Stanley) 17. v. F. Needham (West End), 10; J. R. Walker (Mount Albert), 17. v, A Munro (Devonport), 11; T. R. George (Epsom). 18, v. V McGuire (Onehunga) 15. Semi-final: Walker, 22. v. George b McMaster, a bye. Final- McMaster, 24, v. Walker, .12. First-Year Championship.—Sixth round: G Dilly (Edendale). 25, v. E. A. Carpenter (Ponsonb.v), 9; 3. W. Jolly (Auckland), 19. v. J. Twomey (West End). 10. Final: Dilly. 17, v. Jolly, 16. Carlton Club.—Section winners of an open rinks tournament opened on the Carlton greens yesterday were London (Carlton). Livingstone (Onehunga), Rowe (Auckland), Bird (Carlton), N. Donaldson (Ponsonb.v). and Purdy (Carlton). In po=t-section play, Livingstone beat Rowe, Bird beat London and Donaldson beat Purdy. In the final to be played as arranged, Livingstone is to meet Donaldson, Bird drawing the bye Rocky Nook Club.—Balmoral teams won both sections of a pairs tournament played yesterday. They were T. Bell and W Stone. ,T. Meltzer and W. Howe The final will he decided on Wednesday Morrinsville.— Heather stars: The holders. F. Hart, Wearne, Giliard and Freeman, 29. beat Patterson. Laurie Hughes and Buchan. 11

BRILLIANT BATTING ENGINEERS' ELEVEN WINS (0.C.) WHANGAREI. Wednesday Playing for Engineers against the previously undefeated Kaikoho representative team. Dickson hatted brilliantly for a century. He was run out. With Wilks, an opening hatsman, who made (>'2. he added 122 for the second wicket. V Pearson took six for 70. Engineers made 221, Kaikoho replying with 148 (V. Pearson 55; Hettig four for 02, Graham three for 36). CRICKET FIXTURES Suhurhan Association.— Knock-out competition; R.V A v Air Force, Domain No. 1. Messrs. J. Elliott and W. R. Wilkie; Brixton v. Manukau B, Domain No. 2, Messrs. A. E. Jupp and J. Ball; Green Lane v. M.T.P. A. Domain No. 3, Messrs. A. Slanley and IT. Rowe; Manukau A v. combined R.V B and M.T.P. B Domain No. <l. Women's Matches.—Senior grade: North Shore v. College. Intermediate junior grade: A.L.H.A. v. College; Melro-College v Berlei Mount Albert., a bye. RUGBY REFEREES The annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Referees' Association was presided over by Mr. G. Peace. There was a good attendance. The annual report stated that in spite of the largo number of members on active ser vice, Inst season had been a most successful one. Officers were elected as follows:—President, Mr. G. Peace; vice-president, Dr. L. FT. Briggs; honorary secretary, Mr. T. V. Robinson: honorary treasurer, Mr. J. H Land; executive committee. Messrs Fv D. Croft. S. Exler and C. P. Becroft; appointments board, Messrs. D V. Moore and C Williams; classification committee, Messrs. G. Hancock and D Inglis; social committee, Messrs J. Sweeney, S. Exler, M Polkinghome, A V. Styles. G. Hancock and J. Hinton; decisions committee. Messrs. P Mackie G. Peac« and Dr. Briggs; examiners. Messrs Styles, Croft and Dr. Briggs; delogate to Rugby Union. Mr. Sweeney; delegate to Junior Board. Mr Polkinghorne; virepresident of New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association. Mr. C. P. Paull; press steward and class lecturer, Mr. 11. I. Blow. GOLF RESULTS No'rth Shore Ladles.—Results of an L.G.TT. match played yesterday:—Seniors: Mrs. E. Cockayne, 04 15—70; Miss I Wight. OS. Iff—B'2; Mrs D B. Horno. 00, 17—82 Juniors: Mrs. Herbert, 102, 35 —67; Mrs D. Carr. 100. 28—72; Mrs. L. E. Joy, 07 21 —76, Mrs B. Goldwater, 100. 25 —81: Mrs. J. Austin. 118. 36—82. Waltemata Ladips.—A sealed-hole competition played yesterday resulted in a win for Mrs N Hood, with 50 npt. Next best was 52 net by Mrs. M Griffith C grade: Mrs M Wood 70 net