FOUR WILD MEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 90, 16 April 1929, Page 7

FOUR WILD MEN

ROUGH AND UNSHAVEN FEN PICTURE OF AIRMEN. [ Australian Press Assn. J Received April 15, 12 p.m. DERBY, April 15. A pen picture of the Southern Cross crew is provided by Air-Pilot Heai.h and Air J- Tonkin, journalist who landed near the Southern Cross on Saturday. McWilliams was a regular wild man. He wore shorts and had a very hca\y beard his hairy limbs presenting a fearsome aspect especially when he smiled.; it needed a second glance to identify Ulin who would easily have passed for an Afghan. His dirty shirt hung half way down his legs. Smithy was easily recognisable but lainfully thin and wan. Litchfield was less unkempt aad fairly fit with a radiant face. Heath ha ded the aviators a budget of telegrams. These were opened hurriedly and read aloud amid great hilarity culminating wi.th the Hallelujah Chorus and the Frothblowers’ Anthem. Heath was chaired in order that he might be photographed with the others, but they were very weak men who did the chairing. Smith asked Heath to undertake the transport of petrol and further stores as he knows tho ground. Air Tonkin states that it is marvellous how the Southern Cross landed without, damage in such a perilous spot with the engines almost touching the trees while behind the machine there are vast stretches of reeds covering a black mud flat. Heath’s ’plane had great difficulty in hopping off again. Heath will probably return to the Southern Corss to-morrow.

The Prime Minister (Mr S. M. Bruce) has telegraphed Captain Holden of the airliner Canberra. “Heartiest congratulations on your gallant efforts in discovering the crew of the Southern Cross. You have earned the thanks and admiration of the whole of Australia.”