TASMAN FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1928, Page 3

TASMAN FLIGHT

KAIWARRA REPORT. (By Telegraph—Per Pross Association.) SYDNEY, dan. 111. On the arrival of the steamer Kaiw.urra from Wellington, several members of the crew declared they saw Concrielf and Hood’s monoplane when the ship was about eighteen miles oh Wellington. Captain Davies says he is ahsolutely certain the object sighted was an aeroplane. Two flares were dropped and the outline of the machine could he seen. The plane was first seen by the chief steward. Port Whistle, who pointed it out to other officers. There was a heavy back elojiil above the airmen. The machine tfas visible for three or four minutes. It

circled round twice during this time. Two flares were seen dropping slowly to the sea, as if made of some light material, and a light which was evident.v in the cockpit to aid the pilot navigating, reflected on the upper part of the plane. This enabled them to see the outline. This indirect light

was more of a glare. The wireless operator likened it to a comet. ft seemed that the intention of dropping the flares was to assist the pilot to look for a landing. They flew to the cast after completing a second circle. That was the last they saw of it. Davies has no doubt the airmen are on the New Zealand coast somewhere. Questioned as to the appro.simate at winch the aeroplane was travelling, Davies said he could not make an estimate, apart from staling the altitude was about n

degrees. The machine was too i.; away for the engine to be heard. ANOTHER. PROPOSED FLY. SYDNEY. Jan. Id. Captain P. Moody, late of Hit Queensland Air Service, announced his intention of an attempt to fly from Australia to New Zealand, also a return flight. It is stated the machine to be used is a Ryan monoplane, similar to Moncrieff and Hood’s, but it will be fitted with floats. Mrs Moody will probably accompany her husband on the flight. It is understood it is the intention of Moody to land on Hie New Plymouth racecourse.

FRUITLESS SEARCH. AUCKLAND. Jan. Id. The Diomede returned to port at 7.30 this morning after a fruitless search for the missing airmen. Very rough weather was experienced down the east coast last night. NO SIGN. NELSON, Jan. Id. Capt. McLeod, of the Anchor Company’s steamer Alexander, which has returned to Nelson from the West Coast, reports that his vessel crossed from "Wanganui to Farewell Spit on the afternoon and evening of 10th. January, keeping a special watch throughout, but saw nothing of the aeroplane." The steamer left "Wanganui at 1.15 p.in. and passed P2 miles north of Stephen’s Island at 0 p.m. and was off Farewell Spit at 2 a.m. The weather was clear with passing clouds. There was not the faintest sign or sound of an aeroplane.

SKA SEARCH ABANDONED. WELLINGTON, ,Jaii. 10. The sea search for the airplane has been abandoned. Land parties are still out in the hack country north of Wellington, and West Coast of the South Island. Airplanes did not go up this Qrinnniiug as no incident was reported that promised results. The machines are standing by. Investigations of Omega slope art incomplete. The arrival of the tug loin at two o’clock this morning teminated I: in /«-id a-half days' fruitless o.'i. h. '! he Toia steamed nearly 4,000 miles end covered a large area west ot Cook ,Strait. Several steamers were sighted and radio communication was established with the Uliinaroa, Ivaponga. and Dunedin.