THE MISSING AIRMEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 81, 16 January 1928, Page 5

THE MISSING AIRMEN

REPORT BY THE KAIWARRA CERTAIN THE 'PLANE WAS SEEN. VISIBLE FOR FOUR MINUTES. <Per Press Association— Copyright.) {Received Tliis Day, 10.30 a.m.) VJiew SYDNEY, This Day. On the arrival of the steamer Kaiwarra from Wellington, several members of the. crew declared they saw lieutenant Moncrieff's and Captain Hood's monoplane when the ship was about 18 miles off Wellington. Captain Davies says he is absolutely certain the object sighted was an aeroplane. Two flares were dropped and the outline of the machine could be seen. The 'plane was first seen by the chief steward, Bert Whistle, who pointed it out to the officers. There was a heavy black cloud ahove "the airmen. !The machine was visible for three or foar minutes. It circled round twice during this time. Two flares were seen dropping slowly to sea as if made of some light material, and a light which was evidently in the cockpit to aid the pilot navigating was reflected on the •upper part of the 'plane. This enabled them to see the outline. This indirect light was more of a glare. The wireless operator likened it to a comet. 'lt seemed that the intention of dropping flares was to assist the pilot to look for a landing. The 'plane flew to east after completing the second circle". That was the last they saw of it. • Captain Davies has no doubt the airmen are on the New Zealand coast somewhere. ■ Questioned as to the approximate height at which the aeronlane was travelling Captain Davies said he could jnofc make, an estimate, apart from stating that the altitude was about 15 degrees. The machine was too far away for the engine to be heard.

SEARCH OF REMOTE AREAS. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE POLICE. WELLINGTON, This Day. The police have received instructions to search' for the missing aviators even in the most remote parts of their districts. A pig-hunter on a high ridge between Orongorongo and Lake Wairaraka says he saw a 'plane overhead on Tuesday might. He heard the drone from it, and noticed » dull red glow as from the ■exhaust. COASTAL STEAMER'S REPORT. NO SIGN OR SOUND. NELSON, This Day. Captain McLeod, of the Anchor steamer Alexander, which has returned to Nelson from the West Coast, reports that his vessel crossed from Wanganui to Farewell Spit last Tuesday afternoon and evening, keeping a special watch throughout, but saw nothing of the aeroplane. The steamer left Wanganui at 1.15 p.m. and passed 12 miles north of Stephen's Island at S p.m., being off Farewell Spit at 2 .a.m. The weather was clear, with passing clouds. There was . not the faintest sign or sound of the. aeroplane. ' SEARCH BY AIR ABANDONED.

LAND PARTIES STILL OUT. WELLINGTON, This Day. Search at sea for the missing aeroplane has been abandoned. Land parties are still'out.in the back country north of Wellington and on the West Coast of the South Island. Aeroplanes did not go up this morning as no incident was reported that promised "results, machines "are standing by. Investigations on Ohega Slope are incomplete. The arrival of the Toia at 2 o'clock this morning terminated four and a half days' fruitless search. The Toia steamed nearlv 400 miles and covered a large area West of Cook Strait. Seyeral steamers were sighted and radio communication established with the TJKmaroa, Kaponga and" H.M.S. Dunedin. DIOMEDE RETURNS TO PORT. AUCKLAND, This Day. H.M.S. Diomede returned to port at 7.30 this morning after a fruitless search for the missing airmen. Very rough weather was experienced down the East Coast last night.