MOIR AND OWEN

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1929, Page 5

MOIR AND OWEN

PLANE- MOSTLY WRECKED

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, May 29

Sir Keith Smith has received a telegram I'ro.m Muir stating that the only portion of the Vellore aeroplane that is undamaged is the left port top. wing, i lie engine and instruments have boon sal.aged and lelt with, ihe Cape Don lighdiou.se keepers. The engine, which weighs a ton, will have- to be taken to pieces in order to be shipped from Cape , Don. ’Muir added that a doctor who had 'examined Owen declared that he would e unfit for work for some time., lONO.L\ 1C TROUBLE FORCED LANDING. SiMEYEY, May 29. 'I he Atlanta, with Moir and Owen, arrive at Sydney on Saturday afternoon. In an account of tlie civic reception at Darwin that has reached Sydney, .Moir, in res /.ending said tluvL he desired to remove the misapprehension that they had lost their way. They were on absolutely their correct course until the engine began to fail. Then they decided to land on the nearest point, which was Cape D:n. He said there was a great commotion at the lighthouse when they were . about to land, and afterwards even lie cockatoo entered into the spirit of the o c.ision, shouting WJiat’s all the fuss about?” Owen in responding, was depressed at their having failed actually to bring he plane into Darwin. “However” be said, “we hit Australia, and hit it hard ! We are both deeply grateful to Drain and Grosvenor, and for the kindly treatment by the steamer Kyogles skinner and crew and to the lighthouse families.” NEED OF WIRELESS. AT ALL LIGHTHOUSES. (Received this dav at 9. a.m.) SYDNEY, May 30. The “ Herald,” commenting on the plight of -Moir and. Owen marooned for a week at a lighthouse on the. Australian coast without the outside world knowing, emphasises the weak link in' our defence measures.p It reveals how easy an advance guard of an enemy force ccmUl have landed.and remained there until they had. consolidated theirposition. The “Herald” alludes to the action of the New Zealand Government iii directing that wireless be installed in a number of lighthouses on the New Zealand coasts, and adds that the Australian Government will be compelled by force cuf public opinion to follow New Zealand’s example.