SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

STARTS ON FLIGHT. (Australian Press Association) (United Service.) SYDNEY, March 31. The Southern Cross personnel is the same as that which visited New Zealand, and several hundred people were present at the start, and gave the airmen a cordial send off. The monoplane, carrying eight hundred gallons of petrol, rose slowly in a heavy atmosphere, but once aloft she soon disappeared north-westward. She was accompanied some distance by Air Force Moths. Before the start each of the airmen made a brief speech, which was permanently recorded. Commander Ivingsford Smith expressed his confidence that they would win- through and achieve something toward linking up Empire air communications. The flight was purely one of a business nature there being no attempt at record breaking intended. SOUTHERN CROSS CRASHES. SYDNEY, March 31. There was no news this afternoon cvf the Southern Cross. Advice from the ’plane was received at three this morn ing that she expected to arrive at Wyndham between nine and ten this morning. Later it was reported that theSout’.i ern Cross made a forced landing about 150 miles from Wyndham m rougu country. WHERE A BOUTS UNKNOWN. SYDNEY, March 31. The actual whereabouts of Die Southern Cross was wrapped in mystery at a late hour. Ihe only definite knowledge is that at 12.20 to-uny a wireless message from the ’plane stated that petrol was running out, and the fivers were coming down. It is reckoned that they were tlien 1)0 miles from Wyndham, hut there is no certainty about this, and there is nothing further to throw light on how tlio landing was effected. SHORT OF PETROL. SYDNEY, April 1. The latest advices show that the Southern Cross was forced down two hundred miles from the objective owing to petrol supplies giving but. The country in the district is densely wooded and hilly, hut the landing was safely effected in the vicinity of Drysdale * Mission Station. The crew and the machine is sale. It is expected to be Wednesday or Thursday before petrol supplies will reach the plane. <PARCH FOR SOUTHERN CROSS. SYDNEY, April 2. Fog and heavy rain made Navigator Litclifield’s task of the location of Wyndham almost impossible, and the Southern Cross overflew her mailt.. A West Australian Airways machine left Fort Headland this morning and is expected to reach Wyndham th,s evening to begin the search for. the Southern Cross to-morrow. Drvsdale Mission Station is not connected with the telephone or telegraph system, but McWilliams may be able to improvise wireless communication. NO DEFINITE NEWS. (Received this day at 9. a.m.) SYDNEY, April 2. No definite information lias yet been received concerning the whereabouts of the crew of the Southern Cross. Apparently the transmitting portion o't the wireless or plant is out of order. Torrential rain has fallen in M yndham district during the past twentyfour hours. Aeroplane search parties lett fm the scene of the supposed forced landing .„ K 1 a launch carrying petrol and provisions' departed from 'Wyndham yesterday. M— aaa^mmm