Sydney, July 4 Mr. H. V, C. Thorby, Minister for Defence, has demanded an urgent report from the authorities at Port Darwin on the circumstances surrounding the arrival there yesterday of the Imperial Airways flying-boat Challenger.
An accident occurred after the arrival of the Challenger, which is inaugurating the new air route from Southampton to Sydney, the longest direct air route in the world.
A tanker was brought alongside to refuel the flying-boat, but owing to the heavy sea, it broke loose from the ropes, and drifted against the fying-boat's port float The action of the Minister for Defence followed complaints regarding the alleged lack of preparation for the reception of the Challenger when she arrived in port—Reuter.
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