Rescue Of Aviators

What Natives Did

Official Recognition

From Our Own Correspondent Canberra, Oct. 15.

WHEN Captain Thomson and Me chanic McMurtrie, flying a threeengined Handley-Page from Salamoa to Wau, in New Guinea, ran into an electrical storm and fog, and crashed into a heavily-timbered mountain at a height of 8,000 feet, the Government officers at Salamoa and Wau were faced with a pretty rescue job. There was nothing to indicate where the aviators had fallen, and the country is indes cribably broken, and covered with dense jungle.

Yet two parties of natives, led by white officials, cut their way through to the wrecked plane in a few days, and found the two aviators unhurt, and sub sisting on the foodstuffs which had comprised the aeroplane’s cargo.

Writing to his Department from the Warden’s office, Wau, Mr. J. D. McLean says: “The part played by the native car riers in this expedition is worthy of great praise. It is conceded on all sides that their efforts contributed in no small measure to the speedy rescue of the aviators. I enclose a list of pris oners on whom have been imposed long sentences. I trust that the work of these prisoners will be brought under the notice of the administrator, with a view to a remission of portion of their sentences as a reward for their good conduct.”