THE CASTAWAYS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17687, 16 April 1929, Page 7

THE CASTAWAYS.

HOW' THEY LOOKED. APPEARANCE OF WILD MEN. INTERESTING PEN PICTURES. (b.v T^legrapn—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Austrian Press Association.) . SYDNEY, April 15/ A message from Derby, Western Australia, contains pen pictures of the crew of the Southerp Cross provided by the aviator, Captain Heath, and Mr J. Tonkin, journalist, who landed near the stranded monoplane on Saturday. They say:— < McWllliam was a regular wild man. He wore shorts and had a heavy beard and hairy limbs. He presented a fearsome aspect, especially when he smiled.

It needed a second glance to identify Ulm, who would easily have passed for an Afghan. His dirty shirt hung half-way down his legs. Smithy was easily recognisable. But he was painfully thin and wan. Litchfield was less unkempt. He looked fairly fit and had a radiant face. Captain Heath handed the aviators a budget of telegrams received at Derby since the new's of their discovery. These were opened hurriedly and read aloud amid great hilarity, which culminated in the singing of the “ Hallelujah Chorus ” find “ The Frothblowers’ Anthem.”

Captain Heath was chaired in order that he might be photographed with the others. They were very weak men who did the chairing. Smith asked Captain Heath to undertake to transport petrol and further stores as he knows the ground. Mr Tonkin says it is marvellous how the Southern Cross landed without damage on such a perilous spot. She lay with her engines almost touching the trees. Behind the machine there were vast stretches of reeds covering the black mud flat. Captain Heath had great difficulty In hopping off again in his aeroplane. Probably he will return to the Southern Cross to-morrow.

CAPTAIN HOLDEN’S EFFORT

CONGRATULATIONS TENDERED. (By Telegraph—. Press Assn. — Copyright.) (Australian Piess Association.) MELBOURNE, April 15. The Prime Minister, Mr Bruce, today telegraphed to Captain Holden / tendering him his heartiest congratulations on his gallant effort in discovering the crew of the Southern Cross. “ Y'ou have earned the thanks and admiration of the whole of the people of Australia,” said Mr Bruce. (

DOMINION’S FELICITATIONS

APPRECIATED BY RELATIVES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, has received the following cablegram from the Premier of New South Wales, Mr T. R. Bavin:— “ I have conveyed to the relatives of the Southern Cross fliers your land messages of congratulation. They desire me in reply to express their deep sense of gratitude to you and to the people of New Zealand. Permit me to add* the thanks of the Government and people of this State.” MARTON, Monday. Private advice was received in Hunterville . to-day from/Mr T. H. McWilliam, wireless operator of the Southern Cross, that he intends to return to the Dominion for about a week while the monoplane is being refitted in Sydney.

LATER.

NO INQUIRY TO BE HELD. BY AIR ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE. (By Teiegrrph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) (Received April 10, 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 16. The Air Accidents Investigation Committee, which was created by the Federal Government in 1927, to inquire into reasons for all forced landings, has intimated that it does not intend to hold any inquiry regarding the Southern Cross unless directed to do so by the Federal Government.