EMERGENCY SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26034, 24 December 1945, Page 6

EMERGENCY SERVICE

MILITARY PERSONNEL FROM AUSTRALIA FLYING BOATS UTILISED (PA) AUCKLAND, Dec. 23. in order to speed the return to New Zealand of military personnel and former internees of the Japanese who have been awaiting transport from Australia, two R.N.Z.A.F. Catalina flying boats have been used in an .emergency service between Fiji, Auckland, and Sydney. The first to arrive from Sydney reached Auckland to-day with 22 passengers. The second aircraft has been delayed at Sydney for 24 hours and is expected to reach Auckland tomorrow. Both aircraft were based at Suva, and after the emergency call was received, they flew to Auckland on Friday bringing with them a number of air force personnel awaiting passage home. They went to Sydney on Saturday loaded with Royal New Zealand Navy mail. , . . Service personnel who returned were Squadron Leader F. J. Mathews (Auckland). Flight Lieutenant R. Barlow (Wellington), Flight Lieutenant R E Murrell (Upper Hutt), Flying Officer E. P. Adams (Wellington), Flying Officer L. H. Fines (Wellington), Flying Officer C. W. Weir (Auckland), Captain A'. H. Findlay (Katikati), Lieutenant E. H. Thompson (Morrinsville), Lieutenant R. P. Evans (Auckland), Lance-sergeant H. A. Gover, A.I.F. (Eltham), Lance-corporal R. Northrop (Wellington), and Gunner J. G Campbell (Wellington). Two New Zealand members of the W.A.A.AF Flight Officer M. F. Fearnley (Otaki) and Corporal M. L. S. Baxter (Whakatane) also returned on the aircraft. The following former civilian internees of the Japanese were on board:— The Rev. E. G. Jansen (Masterton), Mr J. Gordon (Port Chalmers), Mr G. J M Loader (North Auckland), Police Sergeant J. E. Hayward (Whangarei), Miss A. Lilburne (Auckland), and Miss F M. Wilson (Napier).