R101 DISASTER.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 15

RlOl DISASTER.

ENQUIRY RESUMED. EVIDENCE AS TO GAS LEAKAGE. (L'KITED riU-HS ASSOCIATION— HY ELECTRIC TELEIIIIAFU —COPYRIGHT.) LONDON, December 3. Th« enquiry into the RlOl disaster was resumed to-day. Dr. Hugo Kckener conferred with Sir John Simon (chairman) and the assessors for half an hour, after which lie entered the Court arm in arm with Sir .John Simon, beside whom he was seated. Mr A. K. Geirisli. sheds manager at Cardin'cton, gave evidence that (luring the two months Rl!)l was in the hangar, until September 20th. tho average gas leakage daily was 22,588 cubic feet, totalling 1.407,000 leet To the'Solicitor-General he expressed tin. 1 opinion that this would Iw due to the permeability of tho fabric, which would account for 2000 cubic feet, valve leakage accounting for -1000 feet, and the remainder passing through holes due to chafing during the Hendon flight These holes were later mended, after which (lie total loss was not serious. Mr Oerrisli added that RIOO lost 80.000 cubic feet daily when in the hangar after the Atlantic flight. Sir Sefton Brnncker (Director of Civil Aviation) appeared more concerned over the co t of the gas than over the actual loss. Mr Gerrish said the gas lost on the flight would lie compensated for tr the decreaso in weight due to fuel consumption. Telegraphist A. Disley, one of the survivors, gave evidence that 10 minutes before the start of tho fatal journey he noticed that No. 4 gasbag had shrunk 18 to 21 inches. Chief Coxswain T-Tunt, after insnecting the gasba"s did not seem concerned about the shrinkage Tho enquiry was adjourned.

APPRECIATION OF FRENCH HELP.

DECORATIONS AND GIFTS AWARDED. (unman OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, December 3., Tho British Ambassador, Lord Tyrrell, visited Bcauvnis to-day to present tho decorations and gifts awarded to those who, in various ways, assisted on the occasion of tho RlOl disaster. Decorations granted by the King, the insignia of which were presented today, included knighthoods of the Order of the British Empire to M. Couch, Secretary-General to the French Air Ministry, and to M. Lebeau, Prefect of Oise. ThS Mayors of Allonne and Bcauvais, the commandant of the subdivision of Bcauvais and the commandant of gendarmes of Oise are appointed Commanders of the British Empire. Membership of the same Order was granted to five persons, and the Meritorious Service Medal of the British Empire to 137 persons.

The Mayor of Allonne also received a gold watch and chain with the Royal Arms inscribed. The two doctors who attended the survivors received silver inkstands, inscribed with the Royal Arms, others received silver cigarette cases and brooches, while the nuns received rosary boxes, all similarly inscribed. The town of Beauvais was presented with a large silver rose bowl. A cheque for £l5O was presented to the Beauvais Hospital, while the Mother Superior of the nuns at the hospital was given a cheque for £25. A letter from Lord Tyrrell to the French Foreign Minister conveys the deep appreciation of the British Government of all that was so spontaneously done in Franco to assist the victims of the disaster and salve the wreckage.

A SURVIVOR TO BE PRESENT. (Received December sth, 1 a.m.) LONDON, December 4. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says: "Leech, a survivor of the ElOl disaster, travelled by aeroplane from London to attend the presentation at the Beauvais Town Hall of the decorations and gifts to Trench people prominently associated with rescue work subsequent to the disaster." FLIGHT TO CAPE TOWN. FLYERS CRASH INTO SEA. (Received December sth, 1.35 a.m.) ROME, December 4. Miss W. Spooner and Flying-Officer Edwards, who are on a flight to Cape Town, crashed in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Both we re rescued, Miss Sj)ooner swimming ashore.