FLYERS IN BAD CASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 677, 31 May 1929, Page 9

FLYERS IN BAD CASE

I EVIDENCE OF VISITORS TO MUD-FLAT “A MISERABLE LOT” SYDNEY, Thursday. Pilots Cliater and Heath, of West Australian Airways, Limited, told the | Air Inquiry Committee of their search ; for the Southern Cross. Heath said that when he located the monoplane he scarcely liked to land. It was far too boggy. When he did descend the wheels of his machine sank about Sin in the mud. The marooned crew were a “mis-erable-looking lot.” There were shadows under McWilliams's bare ribs. Witness said he conversed freely with the crew. They told him they had seen him on several occasions and had rushed to stoke their fires. Witness honestly thought every effort had been made by the crew to attract his attention. They pointed out various spots where fires had been lighted and their beaten path up Disappointment Hill. J. Tonkin, a reporter who accompanied Heath to the mud flat, said the condition of the crew of the Southern Cross when he landed the day after the Canberra had dropped food was still grave. It was one of the worst places in the north for a forced landing. The conditions were appalling. Anthony Foulkes, who also visited the marooned men, said no sane man would have voluntarily undergone the rigours of the experience of the crew of the Southern Cross for any sum of money. He saw unmistakable j signs of suffering oil all their faces, i The inquiry was further adjourned.