SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1929, Page 6

SOUTHERN CROSS

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY. (United Press Association—-By Electro Telegraph—Copyright). . ; ''• ' ~ AILEL AIDE, 3 rav '3O/' 1 At the Air Inquiry Pilots Cliator ■ami Tleath ,-;.of -■ theways, Ltd., told of their search for the Southern Cross. , , . , .‘<3. pilot- Heath’s stoVy^ when he'* located"tli6 J Sbuthbrn -‘’•'Gross, lie scarcely liked landing. It was far too ‘boggy"an<T when lie did come down, tlie. yvlicehs of. hjs,.plane,.sa|ik. aho.ut ! 6ight' ; inches' in nind. ' The marooned . crew were .-rt miserable "looking Mot. ' There, -were shadows-T under r McWilliams’ eyes. Witness conversed freely with them. They told him they had seen him on several occasions and that they Jiad rushed to stoke their fires.

Witness said he honestly thought that every effort had been made bv the crew to attract his attention. They pointed out to him various spots where fires had been lighted And also their beaten path up “Disappointment Hill." J. Tonkin, a newspaper reporter, Who, Accompanied Pilot Heath, sail 1 '.that the -.Southern Cross -crow’s .condition when tliov landed the day after the Canberra had dropped food wa? still grave. It was one of the worst pl'aeos in 'the-"north To fa forced .'landing. The conditions were appalling. -.'•...Anthony Foukes, who also-, vjsitf'' l : tlje maV,boiied,''i s iidn, ' saicj 'that ,tio.. ahiw man would have voluntarily undergoii-' 1 t’hc rippitrS of their experience for mr *him k bf hipiiev. “T saw unmistnka’'l<' signs of suffering on all iheir faces.” lie said.

The inquiry was further adjourned