SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

REACHES DEB BY

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY. April 18

News from Derby, Westralia, states that Pilot Heath, in a Bristol tourer plane, flew to the Southern Cross on the Glenelg River flat, to-day, with ninety gallons of petrol and foodstuffs.

The crew of the Southern Cross arc all eager to take part in the search for Anderson and Hitchcock.

SYDNEY, April 18. The Southern Cross landed at Derby at 3.15 p.m. to-day. All well.

IN THE AIR AGAIN.

SOUTHERN CROSS RISES EASILY.

(Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) SYDNEY, April 19.

In spite of their gruelling experience on the mudflats, the crew of the Southern Cross flew the machine to Derby in two hours.

As soon as the petrol was transferred from the rescue planes the engines of the giant monoplane were' started with ease. The ground was then cleared’of stones and small trees. The mud flats had dried considerably. Kingston! Smith and Elm got aboard and McWilliams and Litchfield were taken off in the other planes to lighten the load.

The Southern Cross which quickly gathered speed rose gracefully in about 400 yards and flew over Port George Mission.

Other planes followed at short intervals. All set out for Derby.’ Tbe crew and machine were in fine trim. Smith and Ulm intend to fly to Wyndham as soon as the necessary repairs are finished, and then search for Anderson.

At a civic reception later, Smith expressed admiration for the courage of Westralia n pilots, Cliater, Woods. Heath and O’Dea. Ulm drew attention to the inaccuracy of tile maps which he said contributed largely to their forced stay at the point of landing and explained the difficulty experienced in lighting fires through the rain.

NO SIGN OF ANDERSON

(Received this rlnv,- 1 . n a.m.) SYDNEY, April 19,

The Amalgamated Wireless intercepted messages from the: air liner Canberra which for the' past three days has searched Wyndham end of Anderson’s route, without avail and investigated a number of fires. She passed ‘over’ very rough country, also Alice Downs; Station.' - She landed at Flora Galley Station where she is establishing a new base from which to continue the search for the missing aviators.

ONLY. TWO CHANCES

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) . SYDNEY, April 19,

Ulm states: “We believe Anderson and Hitchcock have about only two chances. The first that they landed near some outback cattle station, and second, that they were lucky enough to reach a windmill of which there are a few scattered through the country there.” . .