’PLANE FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1932, Page 5

’PLANE FATALITY

WRECK RANSACKED SOUVENIR HUNTERS ON SCENE. (Per Press Association— Copyright.) WELLINGTON, October 26. •News of the aeroplane having been' wrecked in the hilly country overlooking Tawa Flat sprer \ quickly. Besides many residents jf the locality, a number of sight-seers came from the city to undertake-the steep -climb. Several young married couples;! took children as young as? three or foiir years with them. One man, badly smitten with the madness of the souvenir collector, carried away sufficient trophies to stock s curiosity shop. Assorted articles bulged his pockets ; his arms held an aileron still well covered with fabric; two or three underplane struts .and other souvernirs. 'A cameraman secured the magneto from the engine, and a taxidriver took one of the cockpit shutters. Another, who was intensely pioud ol the acquisition, gathered a small case for folding maps which formerly was fastened inside the cockpit. Fully 80 per cent, of those who Peached the machine took away some self-selected reward for. their journey, and it was a much souvenir-tattered machine they left behind. The Aero Club salvaged the engine and odds and ends, and burned Ih.» remainder.

liancis Greaser, one-of the victims of the air crash, was 39 years of age. Ify is believed his wife resides in Australia with a 'son aged 15 years. He was employed by the Craw'.ey.-Ridley Co. He was one of the original members iff tb e Wellington Aer 0 Club. At one time he was part owner of a .machine on which he learned to fly. His A license was endorsed to carry passengers. This had been obtained fran the Wellington Aero Club;