PARTLY BURIED

Southland Times, Issue 20667, 24 April 1929, Page 5

PARTLY BURIED

Hitchcock’s Body DEFINITE STATEMENT BY AIRMAN SOUTHERN CROSS IN FLIGHT ATTEMPT TO MAKE LANDING (United Press Assn. —By Telegraph—Copyright.) Sydney, April 23. Four planes flew over the stranded Kookaburra yesterday and searched the surrounding country. Pilot Brain states that the position of the 'Kookaburra is accessible to land parties only through the Wave Hill Station. A car has left Newcastle Waters for the scene. It is now possible that petrol supplies will be taken to the Canberra by the Southern Cross, which leaves Wyndham this morning and will land beside Anderson’s machine if possible. The monoplane was unable to leave yesterday owing to essential repairs. One of the Air Force machines engaged in the search crashed near Tennant’s Creek and was wrecked beyond repair. The pilot and mechanic were unhurt. The cause of the mishap was an engine seizure.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph says that a message from Pilot Brain reports that there appears to be something covered up near the plane, which may be Hitchcock’s body roughly biiried. Flight-Lieutenant Eaton, in a report to Major Coleman. Secretary to the Air Board, stated definitely that the body of Hitchcock was seen partly buried near the machine, and that Pilot Brain had discovered an extraordinary cave hole in the ground, 17 miles north-west from the Kookaburra, containing water. —Australian Press Association. SEARCH OPERATIONS EATON PLACED IN CHARGE. DEFENCE MINISTER. DISTRESSED. (Rec. 9.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 23. Lieutenant Eaton has been instructed by the Minister of Defence, Sir IX illiam Glasgow, to take charge of the search operations for Mr Hitchcock and to arrange for burial along with Captain Anderson if he is found dead. Air Force machines are now carrying on the search. Pilot Brain, at his own request, has been relieved from further duty and he returns to Quantas’ service. Sir William Glasgow is greatly distressed at the apparent tragic fate of the missing aviators. He considers that it is impossible for Mr Hitchcock to be alive. Lieutenant Eaton has arranged for pack horses and black trackers to visit the scene where Anderson's body’ lay in the same position to-day as when first noticed by Pilot Brain. Lieutenant Eaton is strongly’ of the opinion that the other man’s body is buried near the plane. Air Force machines will co-operate with the pack horse party. The Southern Cross will probably reach the Kookaburra to-morrow and will attempt to make a landing as near as possible. Radio stations at Sydney to-day heard the Southern Cross’s wireless signals indicating that she was again in the air, but transmitting no. messages.. The Defence Department estimates that its expenditure upon the search for the Southern Cross is already' £6OOO. —Australian Press Association. THE SOUTHERN CROSS SCENE OF TRAGEDY PASSED. NO SIGN OF MISSING MAN. (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) Sydney, April 23. Amalgamated Wireless to-night furnished reports from the Southern Cross radio man saying that they left at S a.m. for a flight, south to-day and landed at Nicholson’s station on the Ord River at 1.21 p.m. They investigated several fires and arrived at 3.55 p.m. at the Kookaburra, which is on the edge of a large tract of burning country. They saw a body under the wing and had a good look around for the missing man, but saw no sign. They ebntinued to Newcastle Waters, where they landed at 5.41 p.m. Amalgamated Wireless also reports that the air liner, Canberra, was on the wing to-day and landed at Newcastle Waters this evening.—Australian Press Association.