ARRIVAL OF LAUNCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25055, 20 November 1944, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF LAUNCH

FEARS FELT FOR SAFETY SEARCH BY AN AEROPLANE The 26ft launch Georgina, no report of which had been received since she passed the Waitemata Harbour boom defences on Friday evening and for which searches had been conducted over the week-end, arrived at her destination. Waitakaruru, about seven o'clock last night. On board were her owner, Mr A. G. Edlin, farmer, of Waitakaruru, and a man whose name is not known. The launch passed the examination vessel at the boom defences at 5.20 p.m. on Friday and it was intended to anchor until the morning after it had passed the restricted area. Fears for the safety of the occupants were held when, after the strong gale, the launch had not arrived at Waitakaruru on Saturday night. A low-flying R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft searched the area yesterday morning and flew 50 miles out to sea without sighting the missing boat. Shipping was requested to keep a look-out and there were radio broadcasts seeking information. It is believed that the launch must have sheltered at a Waiheke Island bay before proceeding yesterday. Her dinghy was not particularly seaworthy and it is thought that this might have prevented the occupants of the launch from rowing ashore.

FINE DUST AND HAZE CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND The strong westerly wind which swept over Auckland on Saturday brought with it a considerable amount of dust, which weather experts believe to have come across the Tasman from Australia. The very fine, gritty particles caused much unpleasantness I'or those whose business took them into the city streets on Saturday morning, and there was a noticeable haze overhead Pilots of Tasman, Empire Airways flying-boats which crossed the Tasman during last week reported that they had noticed the dust well out at sea, and a meteorologist stated on Saturday that, although it could not be proved that the dust which was causing discomfort to Aucklandcrs had come from Australia, this was most likely to be the case.

A cablegram on Friday reported the statement of a meteorologist in Australia, who said that pastoral areas in the west of New South Wales were being swept elenn of nil remaining topsoil, with dust clouds rising thousands of feet. The Auckland authority considered that it would not take very long for a strong westerly wind to bring this dust to New Zealand. On several occasions in the past the Dominion has had similar experiences during heat waves and droughts in the Commonwealth.

BURNED TO DEATH LIFE LOST IN A HUT (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday . A man was burned to death when his hut in a Public Works camp at Knikoura was destroyed by fire early this morning. Ho was Mr Alan Keith Robb, a single man, aged 41. The fire was first noticed at about 3 a.m. The hut had apparently caught fire when Mr Robb was asleep.

SCHOOLBOY INJURED When he was knocked over bv a motor-car on the Great South Road near Otahuhu on Saturday morning, a schoolboy, John William Watson, aged 11, son of Mr R. R. Watson, of Hutton Street, Otahuhu, suffered concussion and a fractured ankle. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital, where his condition is fairly serious.