THE BIG FLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1919, Page 2

THE BIG FLY.

f AUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION NO HOPE NOW. LONDON, May 20. The Admiralty at nine clock this evening stated there was up till then no news regarding Hawker. The Admiralty’s latest announcements have aroused the keenest sympathetic. speculations respecting the actual fate of Hawker and nis mate. It is feared that Hawker cannot have survived. Possibly Hawker descended in midAtlantic.

He had only a low powered wireless apparatus and probably it would he insufficiently strong to call ary ship in mid-Atlantic. The Admiralty at nine to-niglit, in j its report gives an official denial to the report that Hawker reached within a hundred miles of Ireland. An official tconummique points out that the chances of finding Hawker >-.■ are of the remotest. This is owing to the wide area which the destroyers must ecoutl.

official explanation. LONDON, May 20. Regarding the disappearance of Hawker an official communique states: “Even if it' had been desirable to assist Lieut. Hawker in his enterprise otherwise thah in searching, although his enterprise was in no sense under Govern, ment’s control, it would have been impossible to patrol the Atlantic, owing to the Navy having heavy obligations. The same remark applies to future flights.” Tho Government warns other competitors that it will ho impossible for the Navy to patrol the Atlantic course For them.