AIR INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1929, Page 5

AIR INQUIRY

ANOTHER ALLEGATION

DENIED BY SMITH AND ULM

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, June II

An account ol an ,alleged conversation with Flm ami Smith before the round-Australia bight, in which Uim said that one way to got publicity would lie to get lust, in the wilds of Australia, was related to the Air Committee by Stud Icy Lush, Manager of the Neptune Oil Coy. Under cross-examination. Lush said. ”1 lm never made any concrete proposal that they should get lost.”

Lush’s allegations were denied by Smith and Ulm. SYDNEY, June 10.

At the Air Inquiry. Lush gave evidence that Ulm in 1927 had asked his company to supply oil for a proposed (light round Australia. He (Lush) had finally referred Ulm to the Shell Oil people. Many conversations occurred about aviation and Hie question of attracting attention to the flight was discussed. During one of these discussions (Tin suggested that it would t>e a good tiling to get. L-.st in the wilds somewhere. Witness (Lush) replied : “That would he no good while using our oil!” •> Witness said lie treated the matter -as a joke. It was against his will having to give evidence about this incident. which was within the knowledge of his General Manager. I hn. who was recalled, said that no suggestion about getting lost was ever mentioned. As a matter of fact, all of the negotiations with Lush wer-w contained in letters that were before the Committee.

Kingsl'ord Smith declared that no statement of this sort was made by IT in while he was in Lush’s company.

The Chairman of the Committee announced that they hoped to complete their renort to-dav.