MURDER OF ELLIOTT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17080, 8 July 1926, Page 7

MURDER OF ELLIOTT.

SHOT BY HIDDEN MARKSMAN. WILL FLIGHT RE ABANDONED? COBHAM TO MAKE DECISION (Eleo. Tel. Copyright United Press Assn. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 6. The Daily Chronicle's aviation correspondent accepts the explanation that Elliott was shot by a rifle bullet by an unseen marksman below, and was not the victim of a defect in the engine. The shot penetrated the cabin and struck Elliott while he was attending the engine. An official of the De Haviland Co. expresses the opinion that while the seaplane was living low, following the Euphrates, someone on the bank took deliberate aim, and the roar of the engines prevented Cobham hearing the shot. The bullet evidently broke the petrol pipe, leading to the main tank, and gave rise to rumors that- Elliott was injured by a broken pipe; He was doubtless unaware that he had been shot and imagined the pipe had burst. Cobham had no clear idea he was wounded till at Basra. De Havilands state they do not desire tiie abandonment of Cobiiam’s flight, but are leaving the final decision to Cobham.

The Minister of Defence, expressing regret at Elliott's death, said he hoped Mr. Cobiiam’s effort was merely deferred, and that the arrangements for the flight made with the Australan Government would stand as at present.