THE TASMAN FLIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3740, 12 January 1928, Page 2

THE TASMAN FLIGHT.

rfc ■ ■ CONFLICTING REPORTS OF SIGHTING MACHINE. ’ The message sent from Foxton to Wellington on Tuesday night that the plane had been sighted at sea off the Foxton heads at 10.5 p.m. “well up as if seeking a landing” following a message from Stephen Island that the plane had been sighted in that locality (Cook Strait) ' raised the hopes of those waitfjjt • and Avatching at Trentham. Probably the reflection of flares at the beach on the loAv-lyiug clouds. seaAvard or flashes of reflected beams from search : lights at Wellington \yere responsible for "the belief that the plane was hovering near. In any ease had the lights on the plane been visible it is doubly certain that the droning of the engine on the westerly breeze would have been distinctly heard by the local poptriV lace. The droning of the engiy Avas not heard. Ay; A group of watchers, hoAvever, still maintain that they sighted the .; v light of the machine high up in a t Avesterly direction and that it turned north at 10.30 p.m. The sky Avas overcast from sun-r !. •]* set omvards with banks of clouds . to the west and south Avhich would (- -jM, obscure the plane. The general opinion locally is that ' . : y the plane had it been sighted along . . v ' this part of the coast would more ;\‘j certainly have been heard, which latter cannot be'verified. ' *\ MRS. MONCRIEEF’B THANKS. At midnight on Tuesday, Mrs. : Moncrieff, speaking from Trentham-v’> ' A over the wireless, expressed every ' confidence in f her husband’s cap- ' acity to make a successful landing, - J and at the same time conveyed her H deep thanks to the public who had attended at Trentham during the afternoon and evening for the kind, ly interest they had taken in the A' enterprise. ?sss

RECEPTION OF SIGNALS. By means'of an automatic wire--less transmitter Lieutenant Moncrieff and Captain Hood hoped to keep in touch with the outside world ‘ by giving radio signals at intervals ; throughout the day. Working on a 33-metre wave-length it was arranged that a “whine” should be sent out continuously, no messages as regards position or progress being dispatched. Officers of the Post >, and Telegraph Department had bfer, instructed to listen specially for ■ ’ these signals at Wellington, Christ-- : church, and Awaruaj At Wellington the signals were heard up to . 8.59 a.m., coming through quite clearly, but after that they faded away. . Christchurch, however, re- j ported having picked up the at 10.33 a.m., holding them umBSH 10.43, the signals being.- plain TBSilll though weak. Again at ; Christchurch heard tire signals, they weakened at 11.44 and were - lost until late in the afternoon. Radio messages received from V % yl Sydney shoAved that the aviators’ signals were heard there between . 9.30 a.m. and 10 a.m., and that they then faded away, to be heard again for a moment at 10.55 a.m. ’At 11.40 a.m. Sydney advised that no -V------“whine” could be heard. The last time signal from the aviators to be received in New Zealand was at 5.22 p.m. -- - — r ' — 7 ~ THE AVIATORS. ' ' , ' . - T 7 '~ . Lieutenant John Robert (“Scotty”) Moncrieff is well-known to the ' ■ Wellington motoring public as se-;)£''£/ cond in command of the A.BjC. garage workshop. He was bom at Ler-. wick, Shetland Isles, in 1898, and is therefore 29 years of age. He rvas - educated at Jhe Leith Academy,' Scotland, and at the age of 10 came . to New Zealand. 'Being of a me- : chanieal bent, he was apprenticed' as a motor engineer, and enlisted in December, 1917, doing special fly*. | ing, i ourse service at, the Wigruin ' Aerodrome, Christchurch, and pro- '.’"v feeding to England for further instruction, qualified for his Aviugs just before the Armistice. He was |y asked to stay in England for a spe- l d, ; cial course for twelve months, which >. he accepted, and returned to New Zealand in 1920. He has since been ‘(i a member of the New Zealand Air , ' Force and has annually taken his refresher course. On .returning to this country he resumed his old position with the A.B.C. garage. 1 Captain George Hood is the soM of one of the early pioneers f/? AVairarapa, Mr. F. Hood, and wa™.. born in Master ton, Avhere he was- ; 1 educated. He is 35 years of age, Captain Hood as a young man took a warm interest'in athletics, and hq Ims always been a keen rifle shot, Laving for many years won a placq 'iff. in the King’s Fifty at the New Zealand Rifle Association’s meetings. He is a member of the Opaki Ride V-: Club. At the outbreak of war, Captain Hood enlisted in the New \ * Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main > Body, giving up his farming inter-' ; ests. He served on Gallipoli also in France, and towards end of the war lie transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He had the a misfortune to meet with an accident. Avhile flying in England, but he maintained a keen interest in tion, and, took every opportunity develop his powers as an airman on /.'A:', his return to New Zealand. He baß > taken a refresher course each year,, at Soekburn, and he Avas prompt to volunteer as a pilot when the op- | portunit’y of the Tasman flight o^||| ' .-wm "wi

THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT. The following is the official statement issued by the.'P. and T. Department as to the signals heard throughout the day:— 12.30 a.m.—Message telephoned by Radio, Wellington, that aviators would leave at 2 a.m. 0.10 a.m. —Superintendent, Telegraph Office, Auckland, reported ' that news had been broadcasted that flight commenced at 2.44 a.m. 6.15 a.m. —Radio Wn. reported flight commenced 5.14 a.m., NeAV Zealand time. 8.10 a,m. —Radio Wn. reported automatic signal heal’d very loud on 33.5 meters. 8.20 a.m. —Radio Wn. reported Manganui sighted aviators at 3.17 a.m. (5.47 a.m. New Zealand / time). 9 a.m. —Radio Wn. states Sydney reported picked up whine (signal) at f 1.48 a.m. 'Stronger at 8.40; very loud at 8.45 a.m. and continuous. (New Zealand time) . 9.30 a.m. —Radio Wn. states 'whine not heard after 8.59 a.m. Sydney radio still getting signal, but much weaker. 10.5 a.m. —Radio Wn. states no sign whine, but Sydney reports receiving it between 9.30 arid 10 a.m. N.Z. time on low-pitched note, gradually dropping in strength, now only strength 4, but constant. 11 a.m. —Station operated by Mr. ißaggs, ■ Telegraph Engineer, Christchurch, reports picked up aeroplane on 33.3 metres at 10.33 a.m., and held him until 10.43 a.m. , Signals plain, although weak. 11.10 a.m. —Radia Wn. states Sydney reports no sign whine 10.37 to 10.55 a.m., then received for one minute, then lost again. 11.40 a.m.—Radio Wn. states no further information available, neither Sydney or Radio Wn. receiving whine. 11.44 a.m. —'Christchurch engineer received continuously from 11.13 to 11.44, when -signal weakened. 12.30 p.m. —Nothing heard since 11.44. 2.30 p.m. —No further signals reported. 3.25 p.m.—No further signals reported from any stations. 5.22 p.m.—Final signal heard at Christchurch. 9.0 p.m.—'Sighted off Paekakiriki. 9.50 p.m. —Sighted ait Stephen Island. 10.10 p.m.—Sighted off Foxton. 11.0 p.m. —'Sighted by s.s. Arahura over Jackson Head, near Picton. 11.50 p.m.—Heard over Porirua. 12.15 p.m. —'Heard over Martinborough and later over Featherston. CLEAR VISIBILITY. The Government Meteorologist, Dr. E. Kidson, stated last night that the weather over the Tasman Sea during the day appeared to be good and generally favourable to the aviators. The atmospherics were such that the aviators should be enabled 1 to pick up a prominent landmark like Mount Egmont from a distance of about 150 miles. The ‘ pressure distribution indicated that the fresh south-easterly winds prevailing on Monday had decreased and backed to south or north-east. Over the northern part of the Tasman Sea there would probably be .light south-easterly winds and variable winds in the central portion. Over the southern Tasman Sea north-Avesterlv or westerly winds probably experienced. NEWS ANXIOUSLY AWAITED IN SYDNEY. \ Sydney, - January 10. News of the successful termination of the epic flight over the Tasman Sea Avas anxiously awaited in .Sydney. W|hen finally received shortly before 8 o’clock the evening neAvspapers issued special editions, which were rushed by eager crowds. There is a general feeling of relief that the aviators accomplished the hazardous flight without mishap. A further statement made by the lighthouse keeper at Stephen Island last night states that the aeroplane was not actually seen, but lights were plainly distinguishable. No motor roar was audible. Light travelling direction S.S.E. The master of the Arahura states that he knows nothing about seeing the aeroplane. He neither saw nor heard anything about it. The Avireless operator of the Arahura states that the present message Avas only rumour. Several passengers reported seeing a red light passing eastward 1 high over the land. The message was sent because it may have helped. Those on the bridge did not see anything. The master of the Kaiwarra, which left Wellington for Sydney on Tuesday reports: — “Distinctly saw light off ’plane for about five minutes under low, long cloud circling round, then disappeared behind cloud. Heading over the land. Suav two flares drop; could not be mistaken for lightning.” THE FOXTON REPORT. In reply to a telephone inquiry, the postmaster, Foxton, reports as follows: — “From inquiries made by me at the Heads, Avhere the report originated, they were mistaking a very bright star for the ’plane’s light. Mrs. McDonnell said she heard the hum of an engine, but I feel sure she heard a car. The Avife of the postmaster at the Heads said she saw the ’plane’s outline, but, when questioned, fehe Avas uncertain. Actually no one saw anything but a light. I am certain they were all mistaken.”

The postmaster at Paekakariki reports as follows; — “Have had independent interviews with Messrs Pepperell and Harris. Former states picked up monoplane flying low and fast shortly before 9 p.m. by direction Harris enabled to pick up 'plane also. Mr. Pepperell left to call his wife and was unable to locate again. Harris states followed 'plane until lost to view behind. Pukerua Bay point. It appeared to him that the machine had a downward tendency. The statement by Mi'. Harris last evening “that the machine was noticed to pass through the fringe of the bank of cloud at intervals” does not coincide with. Mr. Pepperell’s estimate given this morning that the machine appeared to be four or five miles from shore. Kapiti Island in nine miles distant from the coast, and the bank of cloud mentioned was some distance further to seaward. Messrs J. E. Q. Pepperell and A. C. Harris, state that they are both prepared to sign a statement on oath that they actually saw an aeroplane off the coast shortly before 9 p.m. on 10th instant.” The following report was received yesterday afternoon from Martinborough Mr. L. H. Burt, farmer, residing on the eastern side of Whir arapa Lake, with others, observed a light travelling over the Masterton district to the neighbourhood of Kaitoke, ajong the eastern ranges. At 1 a.m. Mr. Burt distinctly saw an unusual light in the air between his house and the Itimutakas. * The light appeared to be heading in the direction of Martin-borough, about 100 feet above the lake. On the eastern side of the lake there is about 1000 acres of dense flax and manuka. Captain Hood", who has a relative farming in thiis district, knows the locality well. The following telegram was also received from the postmaster, Martinborough: — Mr. Adam Wright and others in his company report to me: “At 11.20 p.m. last evening they sighted over the Rimutakas, in the vicinity of Kaitoke, a: . very bright light about 4000 feet in the air. The object appeared to be flying and turning, and the light would be lost. The dropping of the object was distinctly noticeable, and was heading along the hills on the western side of the Wairarapa Lake, and then observed td come down to the skyline and disappear over Orongorongo Point. Before disappearing it dropped in three distinct motions.” The night was beautifully clear and starlight. No wind. The following message was received at 9.30 last night by the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Offijce from Mr. W. Jones, postmaster at Endeavour Inlet:— “,S. W. Adams and party of Blenheim, now holidaying at Endeavour’ Inlet, reports as followsAeroplane came within the vicinity of Endeavour Inlet and Cape Jackson, between midnight and 2 a.m. In the event of there being no search ’plane out at that horn’, it was probably the missing aviators’ ’plane. It was darting about in the fog as though it was hunting for Stephen Island 1 light. The' aeroplane’s manoeuvres indicated that it had lost its bearings and was searching for a light. The ’plane was not heard, but a light appeared about seven or eight miles away and light above) at a range of two thousand feet in height.. The party watched it from midnight till 2 o’clock.” The s.s. Kennedy which left Wellington for Foxton at 9 p.m. on, Tuesday arrived in port at 3.30 p.m. yesterday. A good look-oot was maintained ou the run up, hut no sign of the missing aeroplane was seen. Nothing was heard of the 'plane on Tuesday night by members of the crew. CAPTAIN KNIGHT’S CONCLUSIONS. Sydney, January 11. Captain Knight, in conjunction with lieutenant Walley, after carefully comparing the working-out of the pre-arranged plans of the flight, with times and places where the ’plane was reported to have been observed in New Zealand, concludes that the petrol ran out, and the ’plane landed in rough country in the Tararua or Rimutaka ranges. The fliers having been forty-one hours without sleep, twenty-one of which they had been flying, they would be absolutely worn out, ■'and would go straight off to sleep, possibly lasting twenty-four hours. This may account for the want of any further information as to their whereabouts. DID AVIATORS OVERSHOOT MARK! . Dunedin, January 11. .Mr. V. Carmine, a friend of Moncrieff, with whom he tried to organise a flight over two years ago, is at present here. He expresses the opinion that the aviators have flown past New Zealand, which would take only 30 minutes to pass ovei. If the weather was cloudy the rockets and flares probably were not seen by the aviators. Carmine, who is a wireless expert, stresses the need for an expert operator in such ventures. Had the Ao-tea-Roa carried one there would have been no danger of goino- astray, because the airmen would have been able to determine pretty well their distance from various stations. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER,

1 Whangarei, January H» At the unveiling of the jul’ llce commemoration tablet in the Whangaroi Council Chambers to-day, and again at night at a reunion of the Empire Ex-Servico Association, bhe Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J- «•

The danger had been well recognised by those wishing to carry out the ambitious flight, said Mr. Coates and they hoped and prayed that all would yet be well. A few weeks ago he had discussed with both coin- 1 rades their plans, and he had said then that ; he thought they were illprepared. The aviators on the other hand, were very confident. The rumours that had been published had proved unwarranted. The Minister of Defence had full power to deal with the situation and ’planes had been called from Christchurch, but had been delayed at Blenheim by bad weather. Maritime experts had worked out approximately the area where the ’plane was Hkely to be. Tugs were proceeding at full speed and would zig-zag back towards the coast. ' During his stay here Mr. Coates has received numerous inquiries from Australia regarding the missing men.

SEARCH COMMENCED.. Captain Buckley and Air Mechanic Smith in a DH9 machine left Christchurch yesterday for Blenheim, which they will use as a base in .connection with an aerial search for the missing aviators. The machine was to leave to-day on a triangular course from Blenheim, Stephen Island, Foxton, Farewell Spit, and back to Blenheim. The machine has a cruising range of five hours, and will make.no stops. She carries no wireless. Weather conditions over the Straits are bad to-day and it is problematical whether a start was ■ made. lOaptain Buckly is of opinion that the Ao-tea-Roa was last in the air after the signal was picked up at 5.22 on'Tuesday afternoon. The H.M.S. Dunedin was to leave Auckland to-day and engage in the search for the missing ’plane. Steaming at 24 knots per hour, it is estimated that the warship will be at the point from which the last signal from the aviators is considered to have come, in 24 hours, which is 10 a.m. to-morrow. At 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon the Wellington Harbour Board’s tug Toia left to make a careful search for .signs of the missing airmen over an area agreed upon in consultation with ’the air officers of the Defence Department, and will leave nothing undone to find them if.they are adriff or have reached the coast. The Toia will co-operate as far as possible with the aeroplane which will be working from Blenheim under the charge of Captain Buckley. EQUIPMENT OF AEROPLANE. From enquiries made it is stated that the aeroplane carried no Verey lights or flares, but Captain Knight states that the lights seen might have been flames from two exhausts under cowling. No navigation lights were carried by the airmen. LATER, ' / SEARCH ’PLANE OVER FOXTON. At about 12.30 o’clock to-day Captain Buckley, in the DH9 machine was seen over Foxton. He came up over the town from the sea, and circled back over Kapiti Island. Up to the time of going to press nothing further had been heard of the missing aviators.