SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

SEARCH FOR SOUTHERN CROSS

EXTENSIV K Aim ANG EM ENTS

(Australian Press Association) (United Service A

SYDNEY, April 4

The air liner Canberra has not yetleft Mascot. It is awaiting the completion of the wireless installation. Captain Holden, pilot, will he accompanied hv wireless operator Stannage formerly of the steamer Moeraki Mitchell, ground engineer for the New South Wales Aero Club, as mechanic, and Doctor Hamiton of Sydney, as observer. They expect to leave at midda v.

The weather was tine in the mornibut squalls are forecasted. Owin'* to heavy rain along the Canberra's route, as originally projected, the piano will go via Broken Hill, Oodnadatta to Dalv Waters Crossing, thence to Wyndhani, thereafter concentrating on searching the Port George district Supplies of food and medical requirements taken, will be dropped by parachute if the Southern Cross is found at a spot where the Canberra is unable to land.

Two Westralian Airway planes are now engaged in the search.

Wnckctt’s Widgeon will leave to join in the search as soon as the Queensland aerodromes are workable. The Kimberley exploration party, with lugger and launch, are going inland from Campden harbour. Native runners are already out in the Drvsdnle district but have not reported. The Goidburn Aero Club has offer ed a Gypsy Moth machine for a search with Captain Matheson as pilot.

READING THE MESSAGES

SYDNEY

April -I

There was n dramatic scene it Prvsdnle Mission, wlmi lb o ‘Sun's’ search ’plane flew over yesterday. Pilot Woods and CV'tain Chateau 'buMed by dumb show from tbe ground that the Southern Cross was not there. They dropped a typed message, asking the mi c sioners to wave a white flag if they had seen the ’plane pass on Sunday, or to place a sheet flat on the ground if it had and point in the direction it passed. They then threw out the letter. A white man emphatically waved “yes”. A sheet was then spread on the ground after which the party walked in a south-westerly 'direction. No excitement was noticeable, tbe natives apparently acting under control, and tbe airmen accepted the signals as definite answers.

A further note, asking if the strange plane appeared safe, did not elicit a reply.

TWO PLANES SEARCHING

SYDNEY. April 4

Goulbourn’s plane will probably get away to-morrow to join in the search for the Southern Cross. One plane has been searching to-day in the country round the Port George .Presbyterian Mission and along the Regent River. Another plane has been making the closest possible investigation of the Drysdale District and beyond it towards the west. Both of these planes will return this evening to Derby and Vfynham respectively. THE CANBERRA’S JOURNEY. SYDNEY, April 4. The air liner Canberra lias now gone to Richmond aerodrome to complete its outfitting. It would be unable tc. take off fully laden from the Mascot ground, which is sodden. The Canberra is leaving for Broken Hill this afternoon. RADIO FROM SOUTHERN CROSS. VICTORIAN ENT H l\S PAST'S REPORT. MELBOURNE, April 4. An experienced wireless enthusiast named Mr V. George, of Heidelberg thinks that he has picked up a message from the Southern Cross airmen He was listening on a 34.35 meters wave length at 9.15 last night when, amidst statics, what appeared to he a mutilated message came through, reading; “Smith will try again in the morning.” Some indecipherable words followed and then came the words: “Pellet turn. Men eating wild fowl." The message then faded badly. Mr George thinks that the message came from someone with very little power, who was using an ordinary receiving valve ami transmitter. NO NEWS. (Received this day at S a.nr.) SYDNEY, April 5. No news of the Southern Cross had been received at 1 a.in. The latest advices state the search for the Southern Cross was futile. An influential committee was formed at Sydney to-night to prosecute efforts to find the missing airmen. STILL NO SIGN. FURTHER. SEARCHERS OUT. (Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) SYDNEY, April 5. There is still no sign of the missing Southern Cross. The Westralian Airways plane returned to Wyudliani having made a further search of the Drysdale district without result. The second Westralian plane has not vet reached Port George mission country. Fresh searches will lie made to-day.

Pour aeroplanes are expected to leave Sydney early this morning to aid in the search. They are the Canberra and Widgeon (which was unable to leave yesterday owing to the boggy state of the aerodromes), Port George plane and Goulbourn’s Moth.

FURTHER- SEARCH PARTIES,

(Received this day at 10.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, April 5.

A Wyndhani message states the weather conditions arc improving, and the landing ground is drying quickly. An aeroplane left yesterday afternoon to explore both sides of Cambridge Gulf and go as far inland as practicable. Forrest River and Drvsdale Missions have been asked to send out natives to enquire of natives in D'rysdalc and Port George country of the Southern Cross. Another Westralian line aeroplane leaves Berth to-day to join in Hie search.

CANBERRA LEAVES

(Received this day at 12.25. p.m.) SYDNEY, April 5.

The Canberra left Richmond at 9.L> this morning to search <■«'• +h c Southern Cross going to Western Australia up the north-west coast.