MISSING PLANE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24418, 2 October 1940, Page 8

MISSING PLANE

SEARCH SO FAR FRUITLESS OPERATIONS HAMPERED UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Oct. 1. No news had been heard at a late hour to-night of the Airspeed Oxford monoplane believed to have been forced down somewhere in the Taranaki district yesterday afternoon when travelling from Auckland to Ohakea Heavy thunderstorms swept northern Taranaki to-day and conditions for an aerial search were most unfavourable The crew of the machine were:— Flying-officer Harry Nalder Major, single, aged 29 son of the late Mr C. T. Major, a former headmaster of King’s College, Auckland. His next-of-kin is a sister living at Tuakau. Flight-sergeant Sheldon Benton Smith, single aged 25, a son of Mr and Mrs Henry Smith, of Grange road. Mount Eden. Auckland. Corporal Raymond B. Smith, single, aged 23. whose next-of-kin is a sister, Mrs C. T. Morgan, of Miramar. Wellington. An aeroplane believed to be the missing one was last seen about 1.30 p.m, yesterday flying low in heavy mist and rain near the coast at Tongaporupu, midway between Mokau and New Plymouth A report from Patea. 66 miles south of New Plymouth, said that an aeroplane answering to the description of the Oxford was seen there about 2 p.m. Three aeroplanes from the Hobsonville base searched the area to-day and also a number of machines from Ohakea. Police and farmers also took part in the search.

A New Plymouth message states that, according to telephone advice from Constable Powell, of Mokau, this morning, several people when questioned said they had heard one and possibly two planes flying low early yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of Mokau. The constable resumed his search along the cliff edge on the beach between Mokau and Mohakatino this morning, but without result The visibility was good till 11 o’clock, when a violent electrical storm occurred, continuing till after noon.