TASMAN FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1928, Page 2

TASMAN FLIGHT

ORDERS TO RETURN. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, Jan. 16. Captain Buckley this afternoon received instructions from Wellington to return in his D.H.9 to Christchurch. The plane left here at 2.40 in splendid clear weather.

SYMPATHY OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

AUCKLAND. Jan. 10. The first act of the N.S.W. Premier All- Bavin, on ariiva! in Auckland to-day was to expess the heartfelt . sympathy of the people of liis State with the relatives of Capt. Hood and Lieut. Moncrieff. “1 regret very deeply indeed, ajAL. 1 feel that 1 can speak for the of the people of N.S.W that the Tasman flight had such a tragic ending.” he said. 1 admired the pluc-k of these brave men tremendously, and only wish that the venture could have had a different termination. T would like to take this opportunity of expressing im deep sympathy with the relatives of the men concerned. The Premier said that the result came as a distinct shock, in view of the fack that on seemingly authentic informa-V Don, thev had been informed of the r successful arrival of the airmen in New Zealand. Capt. Right had even made the announcement at a public dill not.

MESSAGE FROM RIGHT,

WELLINGTON, Jan. 16

Captain Right, who will arrive hack from Rvdivev by the Maraina to-mor-row. sent the following radio message: “Ships log shows not a westerly bnt an easterly wind, which uould delay the ’plane. The Ivaiwarra confirms its report and is satisfied that they arrived in New Zealand— Right.”

REPORTS DISCOUNTED

FINDLAY’S THOROUGH SEARCH

WELLINGTON. Jan. 16.

The Minister for Defence (Hon. F. J. jßolleston) stated to-day that the report from the master of the Kaiwarra had been carcrull.v perused, and while it was very definite regarding the sighting of tire ’plane in the vieinitv of Porirua Harbour at 11 p.m. no trace had been found on any of the beaches or surrounding country, to indicate that a landing had been made. The searching for the aeroplane. had covered the whole of the country between Cape Pnllisor and theWanganui Heads, and as Captain Findlay had had the assistance of two observers with powerful glasses, and Ihe visibility was perfect, there was no reason to think now that the airmen are anvwhere in that vicinity. Captain Findlay even flew lower In the outer valleys than could he deemed safe, to convince himself that practically every portion of the country along the coast, as stated, about and inland from east of Otalci to Palliser Bay bad been searched. ‘ MAJOR. WILKES’ REPORT.

The Director of Air Services, Major Wilkes has made the following statement with reference to Captain Davie’s statement that two flares were seen to drop from the aeroplane: “It has been definitely established that no flares were carried, and the-, suggestions previously stated that cotton waste soaked in petrol was lighted and thrown from the machine, can be dismissed, as the great danger of a naked light in an aeroplane would certainly not be entertained by pilots of .Moncrieff. and Hood’s exponent. No navigation lights were carried ns part of the aircraft’s equipment the light of the small pocket torches, stated to have been handed to Monerieff before taking off. could not be seen from a distance from which the engine could not be heard. 11l •any case the beam of light would in all probability be directed on the instruments which were situated in front of the cockpit, well forward of the leading edge of the ’plane, and therefore could not illuminate it. In his statement. Captain Davies refers to the upper parts of the plane but not the light, in the cabin. However powerful it could light up the upper surface, observers from below could not see it.

GUIDE’S IXVESTTGATIONS. WELLINGTON, Jan. IG. The following message was received at 6.40 last night, by the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department (Mr G. McNamara) from the Posniaster at Featlierston: Chief Guide Crass reports That the object sighted by Mr G. Phillips, and pointed out to rue, proved on investigation to he a grey rock almost covered by a white lichen.

PRESS COMMENT. SYDNEY, Jan. 17. The “ Morning Herald ” in a leader on the Tasman flight says there ha; liec'ii ifisquietening stories of the ill condition of the ship’s navigating instruments. and it is said the New Zealand airmen were pressed at Richmond to delay their flight until everything had been thoroughly tested, but that they would not listen to the argument. If the stories are true and if tlio machine’s instruments were defective, they should not have been allowed to leave. The Federal Government afforded assistance to the extent that the Australian Air Force mechanics would see as far as possible that the machine was airworthy before it to off on its flight.

I'lie " Herald ” asks how can a machine be considered airworthy if the navigation instruments are defective. It continues that this criticism is not uttered against the officers and mechanics at Richmond who did their utmost. The New Zealanders rejected professional advice they were given on the point, but some inquiry and report seems, to be demanded, because the further question arises whether in these circumstances the Government’s lifted embargo should not have he reimposed. The truth or otherwise of the rumours referred to outright, if in justice only to our own Air should bo set at rest. Had they current so as to arouse these desperate suspicions before the flight began, a, *" local demand would bare been unanimous that it should have been forbidden. Both the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments were in a degree responsible .They condoned passively the general recklessness of the venture. They should have prohibited the fight, imt the New Zealand Government responded to representations from local interests on behalf of he airmen, and the Australian Government lifted its ban out of courtesy :o the New Zealand Government’s request. Each Government washed its hands of responsibility and the airmen were allowed to fly on their own gambler’s judgment, on the principle that it was tlieir own risk. We maintain that with official control of flying, all Government responsibility could not be so easily disowned. That is, at least, the moral view of the affair, and a local inquiry should enforce very salutarv lessons.