TASMAN FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1928, Page 4

TASMAN FLIGHT

OFFICIAL REPORTS. OBSERVERS AT STEPHEN ISLAND. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. The following are copies of reports received by the Secretary of the General Post Office to-day: 9 a.m.-—Tn reply to a question about his report last niglit, Stephen’s Island states that the aeroplane was not actually seen, hut the lights wore plainly distinguishable. No motor roar was audible. The lights were travelling in the direction of S-S.E. CAPTAIN OF KAIWARRA. 2.-10 p.m.-—Tn reply to a further inquiry from the Kniwnrra, about the statement made last night, the master of the vessel makes the following report :—T distinctly .saw the light of a plane for about five minutes, under a low, long cloud, circling round. Tt then disappeared behind a cloud, heading over tbe land. Ho saw two flares drop, which could not be mistaken for lightning. —Signed by the Master ot the Kaiwarrn. DISAPPEARED OVER OROXGORONGOS.

2.40 p.m.—Tlio following telegram was received from tbe Postmaster of Martinhorough—Mr Adam Wright and others in bis company, reported to me at, 11.30 p.m. last eveninb that! they bad sighted over the R'i'riiutakas, in tlio vicinity of Kaitoke. a very bright light, about 4000 feet in the air. Tinobject appeared to be flying and turning. and then tbe light would he lost. The dropping of the object was distinctly noticeable. It was heading along the hills on the western side of Wairarapa Lake, and was then .observed to come down to the skyline and disappear over the Orongorongo Point. Before disappearing, it dropped. in throe distinct motions. The night was beautifully clear and .starlight, and there was no wind.

PLANNED TO LAND AT FOXTON

Captain Knight this evening cabled to the Secretary of the Telegraph Office from Sydney:—Please inform all concerned that the plans were to land on Foxton Beach, in ease of a night landing. "Whilst waiting for confirmation of the times that the TCaiwarra and A'raKurn sighted the Aeroplane, my present opinion is that they landed in the vicinity of the Rimutnkns and as they had no sleep for fortv-One hours, twen-tv-nne of which ■.■ Ore spent in the air, sleep would he their first thought.

SEEN NEAR. PUKE-RUA BAY. 10.0 a.ill.—ln reply to further inquiries, the Postmaster at Paekaknriki stated that he was endeavouring to get into touch with Harris and Pepperell again, and will report as soon as possible. Harris is an engine driver on tlio railway and saw hundreds of planes when oil active service. He was very positive that he saw IHo plane against a hank of clouds. Tie knew that it was a monoplane by (lie two wings and could see the under carriage Pepperell is a builder and is equally certain that he saw the machine. After losing sight of the machine, they rushed home to hear the announcement of their arrival hy wireless, but as nothing was broadcasted they reported to me. They are lad b sensible, unemotional men. They were on a bill by themselves.

Al 12.12 p.m. (he Postmaster reported further as follows:—Have had independent interviews with Messrs Peppered and Harris. The former states that ho picked up the monoplane flying low and last shortly before 9 p.m, indirection. Harris was enabled to pick "p 111.- plane also. Mr Peppered left to call his wife, and was unable to locate it again. Harris states that he followed the plane until lost to view behind Pukorua Rav Point, ft appeared to him that the machine had a downward tendency. The statement hy Mr Harris last evening that the machine was noticed to pass through the fringe of the hank of clouds at intervals, does not coincide with Mr Peppered’s estimate given this morning, that the machine appeared to ho four or five miles from the shore. Rapiti Island is nine miles distant from the coast, and the hank of clouds mentioned was some distance "further to seaward. Both state that they conscientiously believe the object sighted to have been an aeroplane. Mr Harris lias recently been passed first class as regards eyesight, and is ah engine driver. He states that he lias had considerable experience with tin's typo of machine at the front, and could pick out the single span of the wings the under carriage, and the peculiar formation of the tail. I am reporting shortly as regards their preparedness to sign a statement on oath if lioccssarv.

At 12.40 p.m. a further report was received as follows:—Messrs J. E. G. Peppcrell and A. C. Harris, of Paokakariki, state that they are both prepared to sign a .statement on oath that they actually saw an aeroplane off the coast shortly before 9 p.m. on the 10th inst.

SIGHTED NEAR. EKETAHUNA? 11.22 a.in.—A telegram was received h*°m the Postmaster at Eketahuna as follows: Three persons, apparently reliable, claim that they sighted an aeroplane off Rongota-in, six miles N.E. of Eketahuna at 10.45 last night, flying south-east, but the course was changed to south, and disappeared in that direction.

12.25 p.m.—Further inquiries; made liom the Postmaster at Eketahuna, who reported as follows:—I interviewed tlio.se people personally and am not favourably impressed. They stick to their story, but the light, which resembled a powerful headlight of a motor car was not directly overhead. Tt "as off at an angle, and I think it might possibly have been a motor car breasting a bill. They do not claim to have seen anything but a light. The persons are Mrs Evans and two sons, aged 19 and 22. T think they were mistaken. They say the hum of an engine was distinctly heard. This. I consider, was a motor car.

REPORTS FROM FOXTON. 12.5 p.m.—ln reply to a telephone inquiry, the Postmaster of Foxton reports as follows:—From inquiries made by me at the Heads, where the report originated, I think they were mistaking a very bright star for the plane’s light . Mrs McDonnell said she heard the hum of an engine, but T feel sure she heard a car. The wife of the Postmaster at the Heads said she saw the plane’s outline, but when questioned she was uncertain. Actually no one saw anything but a light. I am certain they were all mistaken.

SIGHTED OVER RIMUTAKAS. 2.25 p.m.—■The following was received from Mr Burt, farmer, of Mai tinborough : —L. H. Burt, farmer, residing on the eastern side of Wairnrapa Lake, was harvesting with his hands late last night, and the hands observed a light travelling over Maaterton district, :o the neighbourhood of Kaitoke, alosg

the Eastern Ranges. At 1 a.m. Mr Burt distinctly saw an unusual light in the air between his house and the Rimutakas. The light appeared to bo heading in the direction of Mnrtbiborough, about 100 feet above the lake. On the eastern side of the lake there; is about 1000 acres of dense flat an t manuka. Captain Hood, who lias a relative farming in this district, knows the locality well. AT ENDEAVOUR INLET. WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. The following was received at 9.30 to-night.by the Secretary of the Telegraph Office, from W. Jones. I’ostfnaster at Endeavour Inlet, and issued for general information : " F. W. Adams and party, of Blenheim, now holidaying at Endeavour Inlet, report as follows: An aeroplae.' came in the vicinity of Endeavour Inlet and Cape Jackson between nnuniglit and two a.m. In the event -.f there being no search plane out at F at hour it was probably the missing aviators’ plane. It was darting about in a fog as though it was hunting for Stephen Island light. The aeroplaneA manoeuvres indicated that it tiad lost its hearings and was searching for

light. The plane was not heard but ill-' light appeared about seven or eight mHcs away, and right above a rang' two thousand feet in height. The party watched it from mid-night til. two o’clock.

’PLANE SEEN INLAND. WANGANUI, Jan. 11. A Wanganui solicitor, passenger on flic evening express from Wellington co Marton on Tuesday evening states dial 20 or 30 on the train distilljt.y saw the plane flying inland from Porirua. When be beard tlio otrers talking about it, be looked out. and lie discerned a speck in .the distance, rapidly disappearing. This was about 8 o’clock.

WEST COAST TOWNS. REQUESTED TO KEEP A LOOK-OUT 12.45 p.m.—The Department has in strueted the officers at coastal towns on tlic Wesi Coast of both islands to post notices and circulate requests that a look-out be kept in ease the missing aviators have landed at an isolated pan, of the West Coast of the Dominion. CAPTAIN KNIGHT’S COMMENT. 12.50 p.m.—Li reply to an inquiry from die Radio Station at Wellington, the wireless station at Sydney reports that no Ye rev lights or flares were carried, but Captain Knight states that the lights seen may Ho the flame from the two exhausts under the cowling. No navigation lights were carried by the airmen.

AERO CLUB PRESIDENT’S VIEWS. SYDNEY. Jan. H. Speaking at the annual dinner of tin Motor Traders’ Association Club o New South Wales, the President of tin Aero Club said he hoped tlio New Eea land flight would never lie attcmptec again until aerial transport had reach ed the secure stage of motor transport to-day. A great pioneering flight Hn> just concluded. They had finished the pioneerin_ stage, and aviation was now passin; beyond the stage when a flight o! that kind was a matter for headlines BUCKLEY’S SEARCH. HAD WEATHER CAUSES A LANDING. BLENHEIM. Jan. li. Sockburn Aerodrome to-day receive! instructions from Wellington send a plane to Trentliam to conduct an extensive search for the “ Ao-Te-Aroa ” from that base.

Captain Buckley, accompanied by Air Mechanic Smith, set out from Christchurch at 1.20 o’clock this a It:: - noon in a D.ll. 9 machine, for Wellington.

'Unfavourable weather was encountered from the start, with heavy rain all (be way. The machine was uu lid * to hang to the land, and she went out about Capo Campbell in an atienyt to cross Cook Strait. The visibility w.,s extremely bad, and, though the pi m o was flown very low—being much of the time at an altitude of only 200 feet—it became apparent that it would lie foolhardy to proceed. The plane appeared over Blenheim just after three o’clock, the pilot having decided to land here to await in opportunity to cross the Strait, which, just now, is blocked to flying. Tlu machine circled over Blenheim for some time, and then she made a perfect landing in a stubble field. In a brief chat with a reporter, r'r,ptain Buckley said that the Sockburn staff was deeply concerned about the safety of the Tasman Sea fliers. They were inclined to believe that the “ Ao-Te-Aroa ” was last in the air after n signal was picked up at 5.22 o’clock vesterday afternoon.

An extensive search along the coast will be made by the Sockburn pi m 5, in an endeavour to discover the “ Ai-Te-Aroa ” or some signs of her on the sea. or on the land.

Judging by the present indications the weather is not likely to favour th. search.

KNIGHT’S BELIEF SYDNEY, Jan. 11 Captain Knight states -that allowing for the influence of the known amieyclonte disturbances which it was to have been expected might influence tin.* flight, and the possible consequent drill he calculates the distance flown between Richmond and New Zealand at 1 !>-) miles, and that when it was sighted at Stephen Island, the machine had neen twenty-one hours and forty minutes in the air. Captain Knight states that, failing to effect a landing at Trenchant, it had been arranged that the fliers should attempt to land at the Paokakariki or Foxton beaches, they apparently found themselves over the sea, and they turned land-ward again, seeking for a landing. This would account for their subsequent reported movements.

Captain Knight accounts lor the steamer Kniwarra’s report, namely, that she had seen a dropping flare, liy the fliers having climbed up to escape mist, and then opening the engine to descend, thus giving the impression of flares. Then when subsequently cruising round in a search for Trenthain, the airmen found themselves again over the sea, and turned northwards to ti.e Itimutakas. Tile petrol then running very low, would give out in the rough country Iretween the Tararua and Rimutaka Ranges.

KNIGHT’S CONJECTURE. SYDNEY, Jan. 11. Captain Ivnigbt in conjunction with Lieutenant Walley, after carefully comparing and working out the pre-arrang-ed plans of the flight with the times and places where the plane was reported to be observed in New Zealand, eorcluded that the petrol ran out and the plane landed in the rough country of the Tararua or Rimutaka Ranges. The fliers havifig been forty-one hours without sleep, ttfeftty-one of which they

had been 'flying, : thev would be so absolutely worn out, and would go straight off to sleep, possibly lasting twentydour hours. This may account for the want of -any further information as to their whereabouts.

PREMIER’S STATEMENT. “WHANG ARE I, .Jan. H-. At the unveiling of the Jubilee Commemoration tablet in the Whangarci 'Council Chambers to-day, and again in the evening at a re-union of the Empire ox-Service Association, Air Coates made reference to the trans-Tasman attempt of Lieut. Moncricff and Cap*. “Hood. He said the danger had been well recognised by those wishing to cavy out the ambitious flight, and they hoped and prayed that all would vet be well. A few weeks ago he had discussed with both comrades their plans, and lie had said then that he thought they were ill prepared. The aviators, on the other hand, were very confident. He said the rumours that had been published had proved unwarranted. The Minister of Defence had full power to deal with the situation, and planes had been called from Christchurch, but bad been delayed at Blenheim by bad weather.

Mr Coates said the maritime experts bad worked out approximately the area where the plane was likely to be. Tugs were proceeding there at full speed, and would Tig-zag back towards the Coast. During bis stay here Air Coates has received numerous inquiries from Australia regarding the missing men. AV-E'LLINGTON, Jan. 11.

The Alinister of Defence (Hon. H. j Rolleston) has been in touch with Commodore Swabey, who has replied that it will lie possible for H.AI.S. Dunedin, leaving at 10 a.m. to-morrow, and steaming 24 knots an hour, to bo at the point from which the last signal from the aviators is considered to have come, in 24 hours, which is 10 a.m. on Friday. Instructions have boon issued for the ship to proceed accordingly. The Duircdin is at Auckland.

TO-DAY’S SEARCH. BLENHEIM, Jan. 11. Regarding the missing plane, Alajor “Wilkes has instructed Captain Buckley in the plane D.H.9, with Air Afechanic Smith, to make Blenheim his base lor the search for the missing Ao-Te.-Aroa. Weather permitting, Captain Bucklev leaves here to-morrow at daylight oil a triangular course iroin Blenheim to Stephen’s Island, and bis machine has a cruising range of .100 miles. It will make no stops. It carries no wiieless. The weather conditions over the Straits are still had. Blenheim is regarded as the more central point for the ha.sc.

LATEST REVIEW. VERY LITTLE BASIS FOR REPORTS. WELLINGTON: Jail. 12. Further investigation ol the various reports as to the seeing or hearing of the aviators shows how little basis there really was “for most of them. In some eases both lights and alleged hum of an engine have been traced to motors on the hillsides. The liglilkeepcr at Stephen’s Island did not sea the plane hut only some lights. The most positive evidence appears to lie that of Harris and Pepeoroll at Paekakariki. The former is an engine driver, who saw hundreds of pintles in flic war and is certain, he says, that lie saw a plane on Tuesday evening. He could distinguish the 'rings and under carriage, and followed it till it was lost te view behind Pnkerua Point, at which time, 9 p.m., it anpeared to have a downward ien-rlen-y. Both men are prepared to make an affidavit that they saw a plane. Hu the other hand-, it is pointed out that the aviators meant to arrive in daylight, and if they found it impossible, their first impulse would Into look for a sale landing place. Tl is unbelievable that fbev would carry on till it was too dark to land anywhere.

Tli!' AY LA TORS Lieutenant John Robert Atom rietf will) piloted the Aoten-Roa, IVIIS l)f )T‘U at, Lerwick in the Shot land Islands, and is 2!) yours of age. Ho was educated at. the Leith \end"-nv, Scotland and at the acre of IB came to New Zealand. Hoi inr of a lncdianical h.ont ho was apprenticed as a motor engineer, and enlisted in Dcrember. 1917 doing a special flying course service at the AVigrain AeroTlrome, Christchurch and proceeding to England for further instruction, qualifying for nis wings just before the Armistice. He was asked to stay in England for a special course of 12 monhs which lie accepted. and returned to New Zealand in 1920. He has since been a member of the New Zealand Air Force, and lvis annually taken his refresher course On returning to this country he resumed his former position rs second in command of the A.B.C. Garage. Wellington.

Captain George Hood Is the son of one of the early pioneers o? the AA’airarapa, .Mr F. Hood, and was born in Master to n, where he was educated. He is 35 years of age. Captain Hood as a young man took an active interest in athletics, and he has always been a keen rifle shot, having for many years won a place in the King’s Fifty at the New Zealand Rifle Association’s liiettings. Ho is a member of the Opaki Rifle Club. At- tile outbreak of the war Captain Hood enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Main Body, giving up bis farming interests. Fie saw service on Gallipoli and also in France, and towards tile end of the war he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He had the misfortune to' meet with an accident while flying in England, but lie maintained a. keen interest in aviation and took every opportunity to develop his powers as an airman on his return to New Zealand. He has taken a refresher course each year at Scckhurn . and he was prompt to volunteer as a I pilot when the opportunity of the Tns- I man flight offered.

Captain Ivan Lous Kniglit. who according to the cables tossed the coin with Captain Head to decide who should necoinpahv Lieutenant Moncrieff, is a well-known barrister and solicitor practising in Bnnnevirke. He was associated with the Royal Air Force during* the war. and on his return to New Zeland he maintained a keen interest in aviation, taking a refresher course each year. The flight of the Tasman strongly appealed to him. and lie brew himself into the scheme with energy. AYliile the three aviators were in Sydney, much of the organising work Und the negotiations with the Federal and New Zoa land GoveriiihtUits fell nil his shoulders and his companions spoke very highly of his ability and thoroughness.