Patient From Chathams Transported by Catalina

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 June 1948, Page 5

Patient From Chathams Transported by Catalina

(P.A.) Wellington, June 8. The Catalina flying boat which flew from Auckland to the Chatham Islands on Monday to pick up the matron of the hospital there, Miss K. Thomas, who is seriously ill, returned to Evans Bay, Wellington today, landing at 5.10 p.m. Miss Thomas was taken to the public hospital by ambulance. Her condition was reported later as unchanged. The commander of the Catalina, Lieutenant P. J. Warnes, stated that flying conditions were quite good for the journey to Wellington. The patient stood up to the trip well. Taking off at the Chathams was difficult, however. The return flight had to be postponed from Monday afternoon till this afternoon. Then the aircraft had to be taken to the smaller of the two lagoons at the island in order to take its passenger aboard. The larger lagoon is the recognised base but it was carrying waves of between four and six feet. The return flight was made in almost exactly three hours. It is understood Miss Thomas will probably be treated in the Wellington Hospital and not be transported on to Christchurch tomorrow as was reported on Monday.