SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

FUEL AND OIL TO RE SENT. (Australian Press Association) MELBOURNE, April 9. The .Minister of Defence, Sir William Glasgow, stated that if any useiful purpose would be served, the aircraft carrier “ Albatross ” would he despatched to aid in the search for the Southern Cross. Eight thousand gallons of spirit and twenty-five hundred gallons of oil are now being placed on board the “ Albatross.” Tile planes on hoard have been filled up with petrol. PERTH, April 9. The air mail has been temporarily suspended, pending to-day’s development. A Port George Mission Lugger will he despatched to Walcott Inlet to pick up Charter’s damaged machine.

STILL NO NEWS.

(Received this dav at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 9,

The result of a search by Four planes in the Kimberley area to-day was entirely negative. Holden’s Canberra operated from Wyndham base covered a lot of country.

The latest news of Anderson says he is flying on towards Alice Springs.

THE LAST MESSAGES,

HOPELESSLY LOST,

ABOUT TO LAND “IN ROTTEN ' COUNTRY.”

AUCKLAND. April 8,

A vivid picture of the Southern Cross flying blindly over unknown country with the vision sometimes obscured by rain, the petrol giving out, and the occupants getting very tired, is conjured un by messages from the monoplane which Wyndluim station puked tip on Easter Sunday, the day following the departure of the airmen from Richmond. The messages, which were telegraphed from Wvndhnm to Sydney on the same afternoon, were not cabled to New Zealand. The messages, with the times of each, were as follows:

9.34 a.m.: We are looking For Wyndham. Nothing to report. 9.55 n.m.: Aerial carried away after we started—might hear you. Have been lost in a rainstorm for eight hours and doubt, if w 0 will he able to get there on the petrol. We are somewhere near, but don’t knftw where, owing to thick weather. Will endeavour to send till we make a forced landing if necessary. 10 a.m.: We can’t see where we ar e yet, hut it is somewhere on the coast, at the mouth of a river, and steering south-west. Tried to avoid the clouds, but they were all about. 10.45: Heading north-west now. Raining and oa.n’t see much.

11.15: Going: south-west, but can’t see an.v signs of habitation anywhere. 11.26: We have about one and a half hours’ gas, and are going to keep on south-west and land on the beach if we can. 11.35: Raining now—cannot see much.

11.50: Passed over a mission or something like that, and threw down a note. A chap gave us a direction, and, I think, 150 miles. Wyndham, we find; is due east from where wc are now flying.

11.55: All hands ar c pretty tired now. Have been in the air for over 24 hours.

12.15: We have turned round—do not think we can make it. s

1.4 p.m.: Going south-west, but no sign of habitation anywhere. 1.45 p.m.: Getting tired now—been in the air for over 27 hours. 2.14 (to “Sun,” Sydney): We have been hopelessly lost in dense rain for ten hours. Now going to make a forced landing at place (message faded) to be 150 knots from Wyndham in rotten country (message faded), though will communicate again as soon as possible. Cheerio, —Ulm.

A MISSION REPORT

OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS

NOT TO RE HURRIEDLY RELIEVED

.'Received this dav at 0.25. a.m.) PERTH. April 0. Pilot Woods has arrived at Derby from Wyndham, via' Drysdale, where lie received word that the mission had news of the Southern Cross. 'lbe report was that the Southern Cross was thirty miles south-west on the coast. The mission boat was reported to he standing by to pick up the crew. This mav be only a native rumour aud should not be hurriedly believed. Pilot (.‘hater is sceptical. The “Daily Telegraph” says in answer to questions the monks at the mission signalled that the Southern Cross was between Drysdale and Pori George, and a boat had been sent down . /- the coast. X r |'h er e was no answer to the question if the crew were all right.

PROGRESS OF SEARCH

PROGRESS OF SEARCHERS

WELLINGTON,frApriI in. Broadcasting news of the Southern Cross, states the West Australian Government, after consultation with various societies concerned have decided that the Resident Magistrate at Rronine should take charge of the search operations. Petrol and oil supplies are being rushed to the scene ~I UI should reach Derby on Thursday.

The Southern Cross is evidently on D. ■ landward side of Port George mission station or in close proximity thereto.

The Canberra and the plane from Wyndham searched Forrest River and Drysdale Districts hut saw nothin'hut four lots of smoke which were investigated fruitlessly.

(Received this dav at 10.30. a.m.) SYDNEY. April ID.

Anderson, in the Westland monoplane. arrived at Alice Springs, and is leaving for Daly Waters en route to Wyndham this morning. Matliosmi’s Gotillnirn Moth has arrived at Oiumamulla. The next stop will he Cliarlevifle,