FORCED LANDINGS

Southland Times, Issue 20786, 29 May 1929, Page 5

FORCED LANDINGS

THE INQUIRY AT MELBOURNE.

AIR COMMODORE’S EVIDENCE.

(Rec. 12.25 a.m.) Melbourne, May 28. The commission inquiring into the forced landings of the Southern Cross and the Kookaburra is en route to Adelaide. The last witnesses at Melbourne included Air Commodore Williams, head of the Air Board, who stated that it would be unwise to frame regulations for flights over sparsely populated territory as it would be most difficult to see that they were carried out. However, the department should be given discretionary power on the question of the equipment of an aeroplane undertaking long, lonely flights. Witness undertook to make suggestions in writing relative to a scheme of mapping Australia along proper lines. Mr Howard Love, president of the Wireless Institute of Australia, contended that aircraft wireless should be obliged to comply with the same regulations as ships.— Australian Press Association. WIRELESS 1 ' OPERATOR AT WELLINGTON. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 28. Mr T. H. McWilliams, the wireless operator on the Southern Cross, arrived by the Ulimaroa from Sydney. After saying how astonishing it was to them to find a strong public opinion against them when they got back to Sydney, he added that he was very happy to say that it had quite turned round in their favour again. It was very nice to be back. They did not think they had much chance at one time. He spoke of the lack of food, and said he still had a great appetite, but it, was not so bad as it was at first. They seemed to have a lot of leeway to make up. There had been heavy rain where they landed, and there was plenty of water, but the pools kept drying up, and they had to go further and further afield, which was hard in their weakened state.

Mr McWilliams does not know how long he will be here. He may be recalled by the commission, and in any case he is awaiting a call for a resumption of the flight to England, possibly some time in June. The route will be as originally taken, as Darwin is too small for the Southern Cross.