MACHINE STRUCK IN FLAX BUSHES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19272, 8 January 1931, Page 1

MACHINE STRUCK IN FLAX BUSHES.

PROPELLER BLADES WERE SNAPPED OFF. (By “Star” Special Reporter). HOKITIKA, January 8. A “Star” representative visited the ’plane at daylight this morning. A more lonely spot for the end of a great adventure would be impossible to imagine. It was ?. typical flax swamp between river and bushed hills. The ’plane was very difficult to get at as the swamp was up to a man’s middle in places. The machine lies on its back, its tail sticking up at an angle of 45 degrees. When Menzies came to earth, the machine struck flax bushes, which acted as a sort of break and were torn up for a distance of 40 feet. The ’plane nose-dived. The propeller blades snapped off, and the machine turned turtle. The impact must have been cushioned by the peaty nature of the swamp, and the landing could not have been more fortunate under the circumstances. As evidence of the ease with which the machine came to rest, It can be mentioned that the only damage in addition to that to the propeller is a broken strut on one wing, and the rudder disabled. It Looked Weird. The swamp is in a lonely part of the settlement, and the upturned ’plane, with the familiar lettering of “Southern Cross Junior” on the under side of the wings, looked absolutely weird as the day broke. The only house within sight is the residence of Mr Alf Walls, a dairy farmer. All round is nothing but a sparse clearing, and the horizon is closed by a circle of heavily-bushed hills,, while away in the south gleams Mount Cook.

The whole thing seems unreal, and if the ’plane was not there as mute evidence Hari Hari would think it had dreamed it all. Menzies left for Hari Hari this morning, to view the ’plane. Salvage Not Difficult.

Speaking as a layman, I should say that salvage would not be difficult but will probably take time, owing to the nature of the swamp. Probably the ’plane will be dismantled and then skidded on timber balks over the treacherous swamp.

There was an unconventional reception to Guy Menzies in the streets of quiet little Hokitika this morning. He rose at 9.30, had a much-needed shave, for which the delighted barber refused payment, and then went outside and faced a battery of amateur photographers, with all the girls of the town smiling a welcome. He Kissed Her. The hero was presented to the Mayor on the sidewalk. Then followed an introduction to all the girls round about. A mob of small schoolboys, in fact everyone within reach, shook hands with the smiling young Australian, who then kindly obliged a blushing flapper who, after shaking hands, said, “Do I get a kiss?” Menzies even nursed a bonny curlyheaded baby which the admiring mother asked him to dandle. No doubt the boy will treasure the snapshot that was taken. Congratulations that were homely but sincere met Menzies as he made his way to the Post Office from the hotel, and at every step his progress was held up as his cicerone presented yet another Hokitika resident. It was all very unconventional, but typically West Coast, .and the young Australian appreciated the spontaneity of it possibly more than a civic reception in a big city.