SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

STILL NO NEWS

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, April 0. Rumour and speculation, hut no news, summarises the position as ex-, isting yesterday regarding the Southern Cross.

The search in the Forrest River region proved fruitless. There was a report that the ’plane had come down in the neighbourhood o'f the Thurburn Gulf, northwest of Cambridge Gulf. This gained wide circulation, and though the report; was a dubious one, a search was organised, and native parties wore employed to scour the country there, and also other arens, which are now being combed.

A SEARCHER .MISSING

SYDNEY, April 7

The airman Chafer was overdue at Derby last night, after making a search of the Port George District. Chater may have been emnpeleld by magneto trouble to stay at .Munja station.

ANDERSON’S FINE SPIRIT,

HE SETS OUT TO SEARCH

SYDNEY, April 7

Keith Anderson, the former eompnnion of Smith and Ulm, proposes to leave Richmond aerodrome to-day (Sunday) in the Westland monoplane “ Kookooburra ” to join in the search. He and the missing leaders were recently involved in litigation regarding the Pacific flight, hut they had been friends ifor years. Anderson a day or two ago said that he would give anything to go and search for the boys. Another close friend ol KingsforcT Smith at once responded, saying, “Right! I’ll back you!’* Anderson rejoined: “I want no money! I would give anything to go.” So he leaves in the “ Kookooburra ” to-day, and thus dramatically is given further evidence that true friendship brushes aside all differences in the hour .of need.

the rumour mongers

SYDNEY, April 7

The rumour mongers were busy last night with cruel stories, all of them being baseless. One story was that the Southern Cross party had boon found, and that they were on an island on the North-west Coast.

Another story stated that throe ol the men. had been found inland in a desperate plight, and that the 'fourth had been killed.

The story may have risen out of the . reported landing at Thurburn Bluff.

RESCUE FUND.

BLENHEIM, April G

Marlborough Aero Club this morning cabled a donation ol £2O to the Mayor of Sydney, towards the Southern Cross rescue fund.

THE MISSING PILOT

PROGRESS OF SEARCH

(Recei ed this dav at 8.30. a.m.)

SYDNEY, April 8

Pilot Chater. reported overdue yesterday, arrived back at Derby late last night. Pilot Wood left Wvndham yesterday and flew to L orvost River. TTe learned that five parties of natives sent out on Tuesday are returning. Thev had received no news of the

fliers. Two large parties left to search the country west of Forrest Diver. Wood later flew to Thuiiburn Bluff where the Southern Cross was thought, to he, and found that the. smoke signals seen wore only burning off fires. Ca'pbain Holden in the Canberra arrived at Oodnadatta late I ' last evening from Broken Hill. A third Westralian plane from Perth has arrived at Derby.

INCORRECT MESSAGE

SYDNEY. April P

\»i earlier- message that ( hater has returned to Derby is erroneous. Tt unpears the Sydney Town Clerk, Gar--1 ir.i-. received a phone message purporting to come from the Telegraph nffi -e t.n the elfec.t. that Chater had returned, but a wire confirming this

was not received. Advice from Derby states Clinter is still missing. The telephone message was evidently another of the mysterious kind received in the last few days . Holden, in the Canberra, arrived at Alice Springs, and is expected at Wvndham to-morrow night. Anderson in a monoplane. loft Richmond for Marec. The plane has a range of eleven hundred miles. Anderson' has an excellent knowledge of the country.

CA NADIAN CONGERN

VANCOUVER. April 5

The liumlter of inquiries made for tlio latest word of Kingsfnrd Smith testifies to the esteem in which lie is held. The hone is general that Smith and Him will he found safe. The interest displayed, though more anxious in degree, equals that which followed breathlessly Oieir movements over the Pacific in the Southern Cross. HOPES OF SEARCHERS. SYDNEY, April R. The' fact that it is known the South-

urn Cross flow over Port George, raised new hope in the week-old quest. It is thought now that the monoplane must be within a reasonable distance of Port George mission.

FRENCH CONCERN. (Received this day at 8.30. a.in.) PARIS, April 7.

The French press is showing the greatest concern for the fate of the .Southern Cross. Photographs of the airmen and latest reports are given prominence. Smith’s line career is recalled and the hope expressed that every measure will he taken to conduct a thorough search.

WHERE LAST SEEN

SYDNEY, April 2

It has been definitely established that the Southern Cross passed Port George mission station on .Sunday. Search parties have been sent om from tlie mission and Walcott Inlet.

PILOT CHATER. FOUND

SYDNEY, April 8

Pilot Chater has been found. lie made a forced landing at Walcott Inlet but the aeroplane was damaged. Another aeroplane has left with spare parts for Chater.

Anderson reached Broken Hill last night.

UNTRUE REPORT. (Received this dav at 1!) ».m.) SYDNEY, April 8,

Reports that the Southern Cross party had been located at 'I liurbiirn Bluff' are given an emphatic denial Ly the Resident Magistrate at Rroonic. He, said that lie sent no such message.