AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1927, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian it X.Z. Cable Association.]

FUNERAL AT CANBERRA. SYDNEY, A lay 11

The funeral of Flying Officer F. E. Erven, tli-o New Zealander, who was hilled in the aeroplane smash on Monday at anherra, took place at Canoerra to-day, with Air Force honours. Ihe cortege included a large number ol representatives of the Commonwealth Air Force. Amongst a number of Iteautiful wreaths was one sent by the Hon Air Aid.cod on behalf of the Dominion Government. In view of the lac't. that. Flying Officer Erven was formerly a member of the ‘New Zealand Defence Forces, A! r AfcLend arranged with Captain Curtis of the GovcrnorGeneral s stall, to represent the Dominion at the funeral. SYDNEY. A fay 13. The Duke and Duchess of York also sent a wreath to Flying Officer Ewen's funeral, .lust before the service at the graveside, aeroplanes dropped a number of wreaths within a few feet of the grave. ('AI'SE of ewe.vs fate. SYDNEY. May 11. Although no official statement lias keen made, it is understood that the An- force authorities are aware of the cause of the crash. Flying Officer E"en was conscious until shortly before he died, and he is TcportcTT to have stated that the machine was caught in an air pocket or wind slide, and in endeavouring to flatten out ami make the position ol the machine more secure. Kwen reported he neglected i a make use of the parachute. Tie was. therefore. unable to free himself as the aeroplane fell fifteen hundred feet. All'!! Did! AIYSTKKY. SYDNEY. A lay 11. I be police are finding great difficulty in tracing the (lues in connection with the murder of the man Walker ('cabled -fitl l April). It was known he brought considerable luggage from New Zealand. hut all efforts to trace it have tailed. There is a • mystery of bankbooks which are in different names, and this also is unsolved. Ihe police uiiilcrsfaml that Walker made tl* l trip specially from New Zealand to marry .Miss ilammill, and to take her hack to ihc Dominion. lie had not bought a ring, and when he was shot he had a. jeweller’s card with the sizes ol rings marked upon it. It is thought that Walker met the girl on tin' fatal night specially to make arrangements for the wedding. She was to have left that day with a party ol lriends for a trip to the .South Coast, hut Walker called unexpectedly, and she altered her plans, and she spent the evening with him.