AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1930, Page 5

AVIATION

IN THE Alii, (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, March 30. Smith and Shiers in their plane /•“City of Sydney,” flying from Newcastle Waters to Wyndham whence they intended to hop off on their flight to Europe, were within about fifty iniles of their objective on Saturday when they were forced to make a landing in the wild country beside the Ord River. They managed to find a stretch of hard barren ground, and they came down without any damage to their machine. Their radio was working efficiently, and they were able to report the mishap. ■ A . relief party left Wyndham late in the afternoon for the spot, and they expected to return to-day. The fliers were unhurt.

f ,A message received through the Amalgamated Wireless, says that the plane should be , seen easily from the air. The men have emergency rations sufficient for several days. Jt is believed that their landing wks made on the Carlton reach of the Ord Rliver, between Ivanhoe and Argyle Downs. BRISBANE, March 30. Piper and Kaye landed at Longreach on Saturday afternoon, after 'a good trip from Winton. They go to Cn.mooweal to-day, and on to Chnrleville and Narcomine on Monday, and will reach Sydney on Tuesday.

KAYE AND PIPER’S FLIGHT (Received thU dnv nt P Ji.m.l . SYDNEY* March 31, Kave and Piper left Longreach this morning in continuation of flight to Sydney, but engine trouble •developed and they were forced to land three miles out from the township. Working all doy on the engine which was dismantled they expected to complete the overhaul to-night, and to resume the journey to-morrow and arrive at Sydney on Wednesday.

SMITH AND SHIERS

DISQUIETING REPORTS

(Received this day at,9.40 a.m.) ‘ \ 'SYDNEY, March 31. Lgtesf; advices from Wyndham con-; cerning the “City of Sydney’’ airmen . site disquieting. , . In a ! message from the plane at two yesterday afternoon, Smith and Sheers obviously indicated they were corisider,l;ing a dash for the nearest station. At that period, their food .was low but y, • water was plentiful, As the machine : carries'no receiving set the airmen do not know whether their messages are being received. Many search parties are-o.pt/ one-since-3 1 ,15 p.m. on Saturday, another from daylight on Sunday. , t v JT.be,-ppssee,fro.m .Wyndham,.,returned tCi I s&&&!ss■ ted haying 1 ' gone thirfy miles past "the spot where the men were supposed to.hgve landed. Wyndham received a wireless from p the 1 plane at .6,15 p.m. yesterday stating their battery was low and they appealed for food to be sent inane-, jn diateljv : \ ’••••:' • h Healey’s party, which returned, ■ : searched the east side of the Ord river. Observation is diffioult in a motor car L,, owing to the long grass, r A party has. sent to search the other side on . .. horseback. Healey thinks an aero- . plane will be necessary to locate the position., ’• ■ il - )