R101 ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1930, Page 6

RlOl ENQUIRY

SQUADRON LEADER’S EVIDENCE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, November 11. Squadron Leader Booth, Commander of the RIOO, giving evidence at the RlOl inquiry, in answer to a question by Sir John Simon, stated that if the Imperial Conference had not been sitting .when the ship set out, he was confident that the Home Office would have demanded more trials before attempting the voyage. He., added: ,“I feel that their agreement to leave was based by the fact that the conference was sitting. It was - the psychological moment for the airship to carry the Secretary of State to India, and back again.” -Continuing, he said that when the RlOl was over Hendon, an abnormal loss of gas occurred. The ship had to be pulled from a steep dive, breaking the bridle wire. As the RlOl was flying then, she could not have reached India. ... Squadron Loader Nixon, in his evidence, said that Wing Commander Col-more stated that Lord Thomson decided on his own initiative that the ship must make the voyage. He was most insistent. The inquiry adjourned at 2.12, Sir John" Siiuqn requesting the' experts to consider possible causes of the disaster, he mentioned foolish navigation, the breaking of the wire, or meeting a meteor.