22 JUNE 1929, Page 3

Two Disasters After much anxiety, British and other sympathizers with

Italy were relieved to learn some days ago that the recent alarming eruption of Vesuvius had subsided without doing anything like the material damage that was feared for the threatened villages. The forces of nature have, however, struck at New Zealand, where an earthquake has done serious damage on both sides of Cook Strait, with some deeply regretted loss of life. No such earthquake has visited the islands for three quarters of a century. Upon the coast of Kent a mechanical defect brought about the wreck of an air liner of Imperial Airways Ltd. Unfortunately, seven lives were lost. We deeply regret the loss and deplore this blow at the magnificent record of safety of which British cross-Channel flying is so justly proud.