AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

TASMAN FLIGHT AIRMEN^MISSING. The airmen, who yesterday wore making good progress across the Tasman Sea, were reported lust night at 9.50 o’clock to have passed over Stephens’ Island, Various other reports Were made hut their veracity is open to doubt, Nu signs of the airmen have since ■ been seen, and there is the gravest fears for their satety, NO WORD SINCE 12.15 p in: (By Telbghtph—Pel’ Press Association. GISBORNE, .Tab;, 10. O’Meara who is in touch with the Government radio station has not received signals since 12.15 p.m. when they differed somewhat from those previously obtained. He says this is probably due to a mechanical defect in the apparatus. He disagrees with the suggestion that tlie signals be-

came weaker as the plane nears New Zealand. Short wave transmission has so many peculiarities anything might happen during the voyage. With the dredge Korun between Mdhourno ami Gisborne O’Aieara has been in daily, communication and therefore , lie lias bad unique experience of short wave transmission across the Tasman.

pi{k-an ran oe n sic: xals . SYDNEY, Jan. 10. The wireless operator. Jones, of the Mnunjjanui, who has been listening-in since three this morning for a message from the Ao-Te-Roa heard signals, hut nothing sufficient definitely to identify the aviators. Neither Moncrieff nor Hood is a qua I i Ik-d operator. It was arranged unit they should send a long dash of live minutes every quarter of all hour. This was possibly the signal Jones heard,

SIGHTED OFF STEPHEN ISLAND. (Extraordinary): WELLINGTON, Jaii. lei: Aeropiane sighted over Stephen Island neat- Nelson .-it i).oD p.m. Later. The postmaster at Paekakariki reports that Messrs J Popperill uhd A. C. Harris, of Paekakariki. report having seen the plane pass’ I’aekakariki out- to sea, about 9.50 o’clock, Hying fast and low, said on a downward glide. The last sight of the plane was off Pukorun Bay. The engine could not be heard, and the machine appeared to he on a downward glide. At 9.50 p.m. the plane was seen .off Stephen Island near Nelson. Flares are being lighted at Trentliam Racecourse,

At ll p,m. oVor Jackson Hoad was the nl-xt report, which was given colour to by the fact that the plane had iveen under observation from Stephen's Island since 10.10 p.m. At 12.30 it was stated that tlie plane was sighted ov(‘f Jaeksoiv’s Beacon which is situated 29 nautical miles from Wellington. It wiis thought by nicii connected with the flight that the plane would he cruising around in the viclffity of the Situffds,

GREATEST ANXIETY, riVDNFV, Jail. 11. M’heii the false news was received that tlie aviators had liiitdod at Wellington, polipii; at various I-litertain-ments where tlie announcement was made rose arid eiiccrbd. News of their labeling is iiow awaited with the greatest aiixiety.

A PRESS COMMENT: SYDNEY, Jan. 11. The “ Morning Herald,” in a lender, says: *• It requires little imagination too picture the demonstration of relief and joy in New Zealand.” It says: “ Moncrieff and Hood were pioneers. Their effort has been a great spectacle. They are heroes and they have added the name of New Zealand airmen to the roll of airmen who have opened ways for the world’s air routes of the future. Australians may join With New Zealanders in pride that no stranger pilot has been the first to fly the Tasman, for the British flying boats which arrive here this year might well have won that honour. The advent of quicker aild closer connection between the two dominions can do nothing but good. The airman’s observations en route should contribute materially to the decision upon the expediency of an aerial mail across this sea.”

THE BROADCAST REPORT. PARTICULARS BY WIRELESS RECEIVED THROUGH THE NIGHT.

The Radio Broadcasting Station at Wellington. 2YA. kept listeners-in well advised in regard to the Tasman flight. At the eoDelusion of the evenjug’s programme from the studio, the broadcasting was sent acresby relay from Trentham racecourse, where it was expected the aeroplane would land. Speaking shortly alter 10 o’clock last night the announcer described the scene at Trentlinin. Flo said numerous motor cars were arriving and headlights were on full to light up Hie grounds. Large flares were being lit, with a big one blazing in the centre of the ground. Many people were present, and some who had left returned when news of the aeroplane being seen in Cook Strait was broadcasted. A cordial welcome was assured the intrepid airmen when they arrived. About 10.50 there was a false alarm, and the cheering crowds and tooting horns of the motors could lie heard. The report that the aeroplane had been sighted over Stephen Island was very reassuring and arrival was exacted shortly. Then at 11 o’clock came the nows that the aeroplane had lveen sighted over Fox ton at 10.30. By this time the moon had risen at Trentham and everything was in readiness. Between 2000 and 3000 people were on the course. The night was still and perfect. A few minutes later there was a rejxirt that the airmen were sighted over Porirua, but this was not confirmed officially. At 11.34 the sky at Trentham became overcast and the moon was Miind the clouds, but the flares and headlights sent a broad band of light- across the grounds. Some of the cars used their headlights as searchlights and bands of light roamed the air. By 11.50 the sky was very heavy with clouds, but the folk were hopeful and the announcer stated the landing ground was' -in good order, and well lit, while there was no wind.

At midnight there was no further news, but Mrs Moncrieff, wife of the pilot on the aeroplane spoke over the air and could be heard clearly, speaking in a steady voice. She said:

“Good evening, everybody. I have even- confidence in the safe arrival of Captain Hood and my husband. I have to express thanks for the sportsmanlike attitude of the people and for the interest evinced in the undertaking. I hope we shall hear soon of the

aeroplane. Good night, everybody. It was then stated that some of the backers of the trip who were present, endorsed tlie sentiments uttered Oy Mrs Moncrieff. Shortly after some of the people liegan to move away, there being tlie feeling tlie landing would bo made elsewhere. It was thought the clouded moon delayed the arrival. At 12,9 it was announced trial the steamer Arahura in Cook Strait had sighted the aeroplane at II p,in, off Jackson Head, near the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound, 29 nautical miles from Wellington, It was iiinG ed that with tlni other reports it was evident the aeroplane had be-n under observation since lieing s.g-itel lionf Stephen’s Island at 9.50, thus giving the impression of cruising :n cook Strait ill tho viciility of the SUudc.s. At 12:40 the Post Office advised Treiithatri that there were reports fid in Martinliorough and Featherstoh of :lib aeroplane being seen over the Ritfiutakas; This Was thought to conflict with tiie earlier hews; arid ari effort was being made to secure confirmation. About a quarter of an hour later, confirmation was received of the aeroplane being seen over the Rimutaka range, and an independent report to that effect was received from Kaitokc. At 1 a.in. the crowds were still waiting at Trenthaln, Rockets wer-2 sent up, and the Harris Built up iiitlt renewed blaze: Many ladies were among the waiting throng, but twility miiiutcs later the people were nu.ving oil'. More rockets were fired, arid the reports of the explosion could lie heard distinctly. At 1.37 there was an unconfirmed report broadcasted t'-iar the aeroplane had been seen 15 m,nutes earlier over Lyall Bay u, Wellington Heads. Later the moon c-aine out well overhead at Trentliam, and was shining brightly. At 2.30 the Broadcasting Station closed down, it- being assumed that the aeroplane had been forced to land j in some remote place, and so the vigil ended.

MONCRIEFF’S MESSAGE. SYDNEY, .Tan. 10. Moncrieff, in a farewell message, warmly thanked the Commonwealth Government and the Air Force for ns‘ si Staff Ce iff preparing for the flight He sails that Without this, it wOuld have probably have taken another month to start, Moncrieff adds: “In this flight there is no pecuniary gain iff view; nor is it a stunt: We hope it may do something to establish aerial pommunication lietweeii Australia anil ,N©\\\ Zealand and may stimulate public interest in aviation as an arm of defence, and may bring closer together the two countries which arc destined to be a far bigger power in the Pacific than they are to-day. Defence is one of their many common interests. ’

The opportunity was taken of the flight by various bodies and persons to send by tho fliers congratulatory greetings to New Zealand, including one from Sir James Fairfax, as chairman of the Australian Section of the Empire Press Union, to Sir George Fenwick, chairman of the New Zealand branch.

STILL MISSING. NO NEWS AT 8.'45 a.m. WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. No news whatever has been received of the missing airmen up to now, 8.-15 a.m, McNicol is communicating with the mr.r.ter of the Arahura who reported he sighted tlie plane in the Straits iast night. Officials are unwilling to offer ally suggestion as to wliitt has becotnc of the meli. Various reports from Wairarapa aiul oilier places of hearing the machine last iiigiit are now thought to he pi'o- jr lihljlv incorrect;

NOT SEEN BY ARAHURA. NELSON, January li. Officers on the Arahura reported not having seen the aeroplane. FOXTOX’S UNCERTAIN REPORT. EOXTON, January 11. After sunset clouds obscured the sky towards the west and south from the ocean bcacli, interfering with visibility. A continuous lookout was kept and later in the evening flares were lit along the beach. The reflection of tfiese at intervals on the clouds gave people inland the impression that it was the plane. No one appears to have heard the droning of the engine, which should have been distinctly heard had the machine passed inland. One party of 'watchers still maintain they saw a light of a plane heading from the sea toward Foxton and then north and disappear in the cloud bank. The sky during the evening was overcast.

FALSE REPORT. SYDNEY. Jan. 11. News of the successful terminaten of the epic flight was anxiously awaited at Sydney. AY hen finally received shortly liefore eight o’clock, the evening newspapers issued special editions which were rushed by eager crowds. There is a general feeling of relief that the aviators accomplished their hazardous flight without mishap. AEROPLANE TO SEARCH. WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. Tn connection with the missing airmen, it is announced that an aeroplane will leave Christchurch this morning for Trentham, which will Ik 1 made the base. From this point the plane will search the coast as far as possible in the hope of picking up the missing men.

RED ROSE CRASHES. WELTEYREDEX, Jan. 10. The Red Rose arrived at Muntok. It wa.i Intended to proceed to Batavia, lint it crashed from a height of fifty metres owing to a broken plunger axle. Lancaster received slight concussion, and a slight wound to his lip. Mrs Miller had a broken nose. The machine was badly damaged. AN AIR, VENTURE. LONDON, Jan. 10. Flying Officers Newell and Vincent accompanied by a mechanic and photographer left Staglune aerodrome in two throe-seater Siddeley aeroplanes for Singapore, via Marseilles, Brindisi, Athens, Mesopotamia, India, Burma and Malay States taking a woman passenger Mrs Wiso-Parker, as far as Cairo. The flight is a free lance venture. with the object of general reconnaissance for civilian flying prospects. The exploitation of possibilities of air survey means that aerial photographs! collection of flying data and frtimulation of interest in aviation by means of lectures and demonstration of the use of aircraft for spraying crops and mosquito infected waters. The pilots intend to pick up passengers and special cargo and become a sort of tramp ship of the air, as opportunities offer, operating chiefly in India, Burma, Ceylon, Malay States.