AIRSHIP ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1930, Page 5

AIRSHIP ENQUIRY

FURTHER EVIDENCE

[United Press Association.—By Electrio

Telegraph.—Copyright.]

(Received this dav at 1.5 p.m.i LONDON, December 3. The airship enquiry has resumed. Eckener conferred with Sir J. Simon and Assessors for half an hours, after which lie entered the court arm in arm with Sir J. Simon, by whom he was •seated. A. E. Gerrish (sheds manager at Cardington) gave evidence that during two months RlOl was in the hangar until 26th September, the average gas leakage daily was 22,588 cubic feet totalling 1467,000. To the Solicitor-General ho expressed the opinion this would be due to the permeability of the fabric which would account for two thousand cubic it;ot of value leakage, and accounting lor 4 thousand feet of the remainder passing through holes due to chafing during the Hendon flight. These holes were later mended, after which the total loss was not serious. Gerrish added that RlOl lost, eight thousand cubic foot (lady when in the hangar, alter the Atlantic flight. Bron- | cker appeared more concerned over the I cost of the gas than over the actual loss. Gerrish said, the gas lost on the flight would he compensated by the decease in weight due to tool consumption. Aisle.v, a survivor, gave evidence that ten 'minutes before the start ol the fatal iournev, lie noticed number four gasbag had shrunk eighteen to twentyfour inches. Chief Coxswain limit after inspect'iig the. gasbags did not seem concerned about the shrinkage. The enquiry was adjourned.