AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

HLVCHCLIFFE MISSING. MISS MACKAY IN PLANE. Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Alarch 14. Sinclair lias arrived at Airs Hinchcliffe’.s house, finally disposing of the rumour that there were three persons in the aeroplane. Sinclair says it was only two hours before the departure of the “Endeavour” that Aliss Alackay decided to Ily with Hiuchcliffe. In an interview he said: ‘‘Aly job lias been superintending equipment and preparation of the machine, in which 1 originally thought I should lx? Hying. I have been working for n fortnight to get ready and have not slept the last four or live nights. The rest of the party arrived on Alondiav. I was so busy getting stuff aboard 1 did not notice the repeated talks between Aliss Alackay and Hinchclilfe. 1 only know that .suddenly at 2 o'clock on Tuesday morning. I was told I was not to fly. AVe bad been up all night long, making preparations. AVe went u> the aerodrome in Aliss Alaokay’s ear, where everything was in readiness. 1 shook bands with them and the next thing I remember was waving good live to the “Endeavour” which bad started. Now I am waiting anxiously, but full of hope. Hiuchcliffe mentioned many times that lie would if possible push on to Philadelphia. I think it is likely that the “Endeavour’’ slipped through the wntellers at Newfoundland in the slight fog. They have from 45 to 5(1 hours’ petrol so they can still keep going. AVe found it impossible to make any calculations, as to tbe time tbe trip would take. That depends on the strength and variation of the wind. HinelieliffV was confident lie would be able to pick out a landing place at St. John’s, by the lights of the town. Tf that is impossible be may push on further. There was no sleep on Monday for our party. AA'e stayed up talking and preparing rations until a decision was come to suddenly at 2 o’clock. That is the whole story. VARIOUS REPORTS. ST JOHN’S. March 15 A Non Brunswick newspaper correspondent wires from Moncton that the crew of a Canadian National Railway freight train early on Thursday morning, distinctly saw the air plane flying low from the Coast, at Avagonee, near Aloneton. A red and white light was visible. Tt. is presumably Hincheliffe’s craft. NEW YORK. Alarcli 14. With tbe apparent- creditable London report that Hiuchcliffe carried petrol sufficient for a fifty hour flight, there, is slight hone that he may arrive here to-night. The towns along the coast report hearing, but did *- sight a piano, moving towards New York. The Boston air port lighted flares when it heard a plane, which did not alight there. No other news of the fliers has been received. Unless ho appears immediately there is no hope of his safety. HOPE GIVEN UP. (Received Lhis day at 8.50 a.i11.) NEW YORK, Alarch 15. 11inchcliffe is more than twenty-four hours overdue. Virtually ;fl! hope lias been given up, despite rumours still i coming in of planes seen and heard at isolated points. I Tbe secrecy under which tbe flight l was attempted defeats tbe calculations ? of those wbo might have gone to the I rescue, so little is known of the pro- • posed route. Aviators expressed doubt that any ? relief planes will be sent out to search, i UXCONEtRAIED REPORT. NEW YORK, .March 15. . A message from Portland, Maine, - states coastguards at Biddefordpool - Station, this afternoon are investigating an unconfirmed report that a yellow r object and two persons, possibly the Endeavour and Hiuchcliffe and McKay I" are sale on Stratton Island off Old - Orchard Reach. One report stated - that watchers could unmistakably see a • yellow object and two persons who I seemed to be waving through the mist. NO TRACE. NEW YORK, Alarch 15. A message from Biddeford. Alaine. states the coastguardsmen have ret turned from Stratton Island and report there is no trace of the aeroplane 1 “Endeavour.”