SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1929, Page 6

SOUTHERN CROSS

EDITOR ON ARRANGEMENTS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). SYDNEY, June 4. The air inquiry was to-day resumed. Henry Campbell Jones, editor and director of “Sun Newspapers’’ gave evidence that there was not the faintest suggestion of an agreement or understanding that the crew of the Southern Cross-should'hose themselves and give exclusive details to the “Sun.” The only agreement was that already tendered relating to the remuneration if they beat Hinkler’s record. Witness did not for the moment think it likely either that Smith or Ulm would he associated with any pre-arranged scheme of spectacular flying simply for publicity purposes. Mr Hammond, K.C.: “Where did the information come from as published in the “Sun,” that the crew had left without emergency rations?” Jones: “J. cannot say, but I will have immediate inquiries made at my office.”

Jones added that he was so impressed with Ulin’s gifts in regard to organisation' that he had offered him control of the “Sun’s” publishing department, biit ; 'unfortunately, Ulm refused; i' . William* Crawford, wireless inspector for the Government, said that be had tested the Southern Cross emergency'radio set before the flight, and had found it next to useless. Witness then made exhaustive tests ol the ‘set carried by the Southern Cross, 'and found it most effective. This set Could have been converted into a transmitting sot with the material carried by the Southern Cross. Mr Hammond; “Could that have boon done at ‘Coffee Royal?’” Witness: “Yes, if a hand driven generator had boon carried, much stronger signals could have been made.” KOOKABURRA TRAGEDY. | ' SYDNEY, ’ June 4. 1

At. the ; Air Inquiry, Laurence Phipps, motor meenanic, who overhauled Keith 'Anderson’s “Kookaburra” before, its ill-fated flight, said the Compass ' was efficient beForo thi departure of, the machine. It was apparent, however, that the Compass had failed after icaving Alice Springs and that it was owing to the loss'of tools* which have already been reported as "having been stolen. Witness had. impressed on Hitchcock to keep fifteen pounds 'of tools and sp«W parts near the cmnoass. Therefore the absence of tlu'se prevented the compass from swinging eoiTeetlj. Further, if Anderson took off from Alice Springs with the big load reported, then he was four hundred ami thirty pounds ’ overloaded. . Hitchcock was. a very sick man ' when .he started tlid -flight. '. '! j SFCfRF/r INSTRUCTIONS. REFUSAT/ TO DISCLOSE THEM: SYDNEY,. June 4. At/ the Air Tihpiiry John Carlick. Chief''Civic Commissioner and President of the. Southern Cross Reliei Fund nrod need correspondence with John Cantor, the City publican, who hacked Anderson’s flight. Cantor, lie said, was asked for details of the see rot instructions given to Anderson, hut ho regretted to say that Cantor had declined to disclose them.