H—37A

Hours. 1110 Advised Mr. Robertson of the above details. (Mr. Robertson is Controller of Air Operations.) 1122 Superintendent of Police rang and requested details of search. Advised him that search arrangements were fully in hand by Ohakune police. Suggested that he contact Ohakune police and give them the necessary authority to proceed. 1132 Ohakune police request that a bag of permanganate of potash be dropped to mark the scene of crash. 1138 Contacted Ohakea. Requested them to obtain a sack of permanganate of potash, or sea markers,, to drop near the scene of crash to mark the spot. 1145 Mr. Scott instructed that cablegram be sent to Hon. Mr. Fraser giving a resume of whole operation. Mr. Scott to check. 1146 From Karioi. Advised this unit of ground party search arrangements for information. Wing Commander Kean will be standing by this unit. 1155 Contacted Karioi by radio telephone in reply to signal from them re search. Advised them of all details. They advise Wing Commander Kean airborne in Auster 1703 to inspect the crash area. Instructed them to brief all aircraft that there are numerous aircraft in the air. Advised them that a photographer has permission to fly. Will advise the name later. 1200 Squadron Leader Hardy requested information re Dakotas, and was advised that we would hold them at Ohakea in case they were required for food-dropping to search parties. 1205 Advised Squadron Leader Baigent to contact Ohakune police and make necessary arrangementsas regards food-supply to search party. 1224 Lodged urgent air call to Ohakune police. 1226 Advised Squadron Leader McDowell of aircraft sighting. 1235 Contacted Ohakune police and requested call sign and frequency of wireless with search party. They advise 3552 kilocycles C.W. and Call sign ZL2MC. Requested the times off any watches in the crash. Advised him he could contact Navy Tower and Karioi Tower from 3105 kilocycles. 1250 Inquired from Karioi if the Auster's report of height of wreckage was above sea-level or above Karioi. He advises height 6,000 ft. above sea-level. Advised them of food-dropping arrangements. 1255 Details of search and finding of wreckage and plans for ground party to proceed to scene of wreckage passed to Mr. Shanahan for transmission to Hon. Mr. Fraser, United KingdomThis phone conversation is sufficient. ISJG2 From DC3 ZK-AQT. Now clear of Ruapehu and returning to Palmerston. Height of Electra estimated 6,000 ft. 1315 Passed authority to Flight Lieutenant Jacobsen for Auster flights out of Karioi. 1340 Flight Lieutenant Webby called from Ohakea and advised that they are dropping food into the area in case the weather deteriorates later. 1346 Lodged call to Ohakune police. 1351 From Karioi: Ohakune police request Very pistol with red and green cartridges and suitable^ type flares be dropped with other supplies this afternoon at base camp. 1352 Advised Ohakune police that an Air Department Civil Aviation party will be reporting ther^ tonight. Requested that the Ohakune police provide the necessary facilities. They will arrange this. 1426 Call to Karioi by radio telephone. Advised them name of authorized photographer is Myraris. 1436 Clearance granted for Gemini to land at Karioi. 1456 From Deputy Director of Civil Aviation. Police at Ohakune to be instructed as follows : Authority Prime Minister's Department. Before any information is given out re results of ground party operations details are to be given to National Airways Corporation and Mr. Nash personally. 1506 Superintendent of Police advised of above and will pass to Ohakune police. 1617 Police officer in charge of ground party requests 12 stretchers be dropped at scene of crash. 1633 Lodged call to Whenuapai, Officer Commanding 41 Squadron as requested he obtain 12 §tretchera possibly from public hospital. 1648 Karioi report that ground party will not reach scene of crash to-night. Advised them that stretchers will be dropped at 0800 hours to-morrow morning at the earliest. Karioi suggests that crash scene be marked by parachute. Asked Karioi if continuous watch will be maintained all night. They advise affirmative. Advised them that they may retain one or both Rotorua Austers. Karioi request if we require Control Officer at Karioi. Affirmative,, he is to remain while the Austers are operating from that field. Asked Karioi if they require Navy 3105 kilocyles. They advise definitely affirmative. Acknowledged. 1656 Received from Palmerston : Auster 1705 advises Karioi: Army truck with transmitters is as far as Horopito and cannot proceed further. Ground party on way. 1707 " Air flash "to the Chateau'on the strength of press article re guides due back from wreck at 1630.

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