KOOKABURRA TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20702, 27 April 1929, Page 13

KOOKABURRA TRAGEDY

FINDING OF THE PLANE. PILOT BRAIN’S STORY. EXULTATION CHANGED TO SORROW. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, April 26. Pilot Brain, describing the finding of the Kookaburra, says; “We left Newcastle Waters on Sunday morning, and headed for Wave Hill. We came over desert country with wild timber. Flying along at 80 miles an hour, the conviction grew on i-ie that it Was here that the Kookaburra had been lost. Suddenly I saw a faint column of smoke about 60 miles to our south-west. My companion also saw smoke. “ The Atlanta came down to 2000 feet. We all watched while I turned the machine from side to side to look carefully underneath. When within 20 miles of the smoke we discerned a big area smouldering, and a chill struck into my heart. No ordinary chance could have set the scrub afire, as there is no human life in this locality, except niggers, who may come along in the wet season. Suddenly I discovered something which did not seem to belong to this desolate bu'sh. I jumped to the conclusion that here lay Anderson’s plane. After continuing a further three miles I saw the Kookaburra lying there,. A radio message was immediately sent out, the engines shut off, and w'e came low over the Kookaburra, My feelings were pride and exultation. 1 thought I had arrived to rescue the two men, both of whom were personal friends. We circled round and lopked for signs of life. . “ The machine swooped within 20 feet of the ground, and I saw a man’s figure lying in the shade of the wing. He lay as if asleep, but he was dead. 1 realised the tragedy when the drone of our plane failed to move him. He was dead, and had been so for some days. *1 cannot forget the inert silenpe of this sad figure. “ After circling round 10 times I became certain that it was Anderson. We skirted round the burning area searching for Hitchcock, but saw no sign of him. Thinking, however, that he might be in the vicinity, supplies were dropped by parachutes. Landing would have been excessively dangerous and of no use. “ Exultation had been our first emotion on sighting the Kookaburra, but we returned to Wave Hill with our hearts full of sorrow for the crew’s certain death.” The Atlanta, which had left Wave Hill for Brisbane, was diverted at Longreach, and covered the 1000 miles from there to Sydney yesterday. THE PACK-HORSE PARTY. GOOD PROGRESS MADE. FOOD SUPPLIED BY PLANES. SYDNEY, April 26. Advices state that the pack-horse party is making excellent progress to the Kookaburra at the rate of 36 miles a day. Air Force machines, under Lieutenant Eaton, are supplying food to the party. They will also direct the party to the water holes. There are as yet no definite tidings of Hitchcock. SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY. TO HAVE BEEN REACHED LAST NIGHT. SYDNEY, April 26. (Received April 26, at 9.57 p.m.) The Air Board has authorised the removal of the Kookaburra, which is Mr Anderson's property, to Sydney. The pack-horse party treking to the Kookaburra consists of three whites and several aboriginals, wbo expect to reach the scene to-night. The complaint comes from Perth that the Reparations Department has already stopped Mrs Hitchcock’s pension. The Prime Minister, who is inquiring, declares that he understands that she is in needy circumstances,, and he will see that no injustice is done her. The Federal Cabinet met to-day at Canberra and considered the arrangements for an independent inquiry into the Southern Cross and Kookaburra’s forced landings. The press will be admitted to the proceedings. THE SOUTHERN CROSS. FAILS TO REACH SYDNEY. SYDNEY, April 26. (Received April 26, at 0.57 p.m.) The Southern Cross left Bulloo at 7.45 this morning for Sydney. She encountered fierce dust storms and a cold, biting head wind. She landed at 1.40 this afternoon at Narrow Mine, 300 miles north-west of Sydney, where she will remain until to-morrow. The local population and also crowds from the adjoining centres gave the crew a cordial welcome. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm were wearing flying uniforms, and Messrs MacWHliam and Litchfield khaki. All were decked in sombrero hats. Their other clothing was left at Wyndham. The air liner Canberra arrived at Longreach yesterday, and will reach Bourke, New South Wales, tomorrow afternoon.