SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

INQUIRY TO BE HELD

(Australian Pi ess Association)

(United Service,

.SYDNEY, April 2G. The Southern Cross left Bulloo at 7.4 b this in.iniiug far Sydney. She encountered fierce dust st.,mis and a cold ..mug head wind. The plane landed at 1.40 this afterim ii at Narrow Aline, three hundred miles north-west of Sydney, where she is remaining till 10-mon\.w.

The local population, and also crowds from adjoining centres, gave the crew a c./i'dia! welcome. Smiili and l.im were wearing their living uniforms, and McWilliams and Lifchlicid wore khaki. All of them were decked in sombrero fiats, i heir other cl iti.iiig was left at W’yiidliam. The air liner Canberra arrived at Longreadi yesterday, and readies M.urke. in New South Wales, to-mor-row afternoon. .

The Air Board lias authorised the remo. al of the Kookaburra aeroplane, which i.s Anders.nibs property, to S.vdnev.

The pack horse party that is trekking to the Kookaburra consists of three whites and several aboriginals,

..ho exjoct to reach the scene tonight. A enniplaint comes from Perth that the Reparations Department has already stopped Mrs Hitchcock's pension. The Prime Minister, who is inquiring, declares that he understands that she is in needy circumstances, and he will see that no injustice is done to her. The Federal Cabinet met to-day at Canberra, and considered arrangements I\t an independent inquiry into the Southern Cross and the Kookaburra’s forced landings. The press will he admitted to the oroceedings.