THE SIGHTING STORIES

Evening Star, Issue 19762, 12 January 1928, Page 5

THE SIGHTING STORIES

A SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE

WELLINGTON, January 11

The following are copies of the reports received by the Secretary of the General Post Office to-day:—

9 a.m.—ln reply to a question about his report last night, Stephen’s Island lightkeeper states that the aeroplane was not actually seen, but the lights were plainly distinguishable. No motor roar was audible. ■ The lights were travelling in the direction of S.S.E.

9.40 a.m.—ln reply to an inquiry about his report last night, the captain of the Arahura states that he knows nothing about seeing the aeroplane. He neither saw nor heard anything about it. The wireless operator on the Arahura states that last night’s message was only a rumor. Several passengers repeated seeing a ted light

passing eastward, high over the land. The message was sent bceaue it might have helped. Those on the bridge did not see anything.

At 12.12 p.m. the postmaster, Pakakariki, reported as followsl have had independent interviews with Messrs Peppered and Harris. The former states that they picked up the monoplane flying low and fast shortly before 9 p.m. Mr Peppered left to call his wife, and was unable to locate the ’piano again. Mr Harris states that he followed the ’plane until it was lost to view behind Pukerua Bay Point. It appeared to him that, the machine had a downward tendenev.

The statement by Mr Harris on Tuesday evening “that the machine was noticed to pass through the fringe of the bank of cloud at intervals.” does not coincide with Mr Bcppcrell’s estimate given this morning that “the machine appeared to be four or live miles from the shore. Ivapiti Island is nine miles distant from the coast, and the bank of cloud mentioned was some distance further to seaward. Both state that they conscientiously believe the object sighted was an aeroplane. Mr Harris has recently been passed first-class ns regards eyesight, and is an engine driver. Ho states that ho had considerable experience with this type of machine at the front, and could pick out the single span of wings, the under-carriage, and the peculiar formation of the tail. I am reporting shortly as regards their preparedness to sign a statement on oath if necessary.” A further report was received ns fololws:—“Messrs J. E. G. Peppered and A. C. Harris, of Paekakariki, 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 the 10th instant.”

At 11.22 a.m. a telegram was received from the postmaster at Ekotahuna as follows : —“ Three persons, apparently reliable, claim to have sighted an aeroplane over Rongomai, six miles north-east of Eketahnna, at 10.43 last night, flying south-east, but it changed its course to south and disappeared in that direction.” 12.25 p.m.—Further inquiries were made from the postmaster at Eketahuna, who reported as follows; —“ Interviewed those people personally, and am not favorably impressed. They stick to their story, but the light, which resembled the powerful headlight of a motor car, was not directly overhead. It was off at an angle, and I think it might possibly have been a motor car breasting a hill. They do not claim to have seen anything but a light. The persons are Mrs Evans and her two sons, aged nineteen and twenty-two. I think they were mistaken. They say the hum of the engine was distinctly heard. This, I consider, was a motor car.” 12.5 p.m.—ln reply to a telephone inquiry, the postmaster at Foxton reports as follows; —■‘‘From inquiries mode by me at .the Heads, where the

report originated, they were mistaking a very bright star for the ’plane’s light. Mrs M'Dondld said she heard the hum of an engine, but I feel sure she heard a car. The wife of the postmaster at the Heads said she saw the 'plane’s outline, but when questioned sho was uncertain. Actually no one saw anything but a light. I am certain they were all mistaken.” 12.45 p.m.—The department instructed offices at coastal towns on the west coast ot both islands to post notices and circulate requests that a lookout bo kept in case the missing aviators have landed at an isolated part of the west coast of the dominion.

12.50 p.m.—ln reply to an inquiry from radio, Wellington, the wireless station in Sydney reports that no series of lights or Hares was carried, but that Captain Knight states that tho lights seen might have been the flames from two exhausts under the cowling. No navigation lights wore carried by the airmen. 2.25 p.m.—- I Tito following was received from Mr Burt, farmer, Martinborough:—“ 1, 11. Burt, farmer, residing on the eastern side of 'Wairarapa Lake, was harvesting with my hands Into last night, and the hands observed a light travelling over tho Mastcrton district to tho neighhor-

hood of Kaitoke along the eastern ranges. At f a.m. T distinctly saw an unusual light in the air between my house and the Rimutakas. The light appeared to ho heading in the direction of Martinborough, about 100 ft above the lake. On the eastern side of the lake there are about 1,000 acres of dense flax and manuka. Captain Hood, who has a relative farming in this district, knows the locality well.”

2.40 p.m..—ln reply to a further inquiry from the Kaiwarra about tho statement made last night, the master of tho vessel makes tho following rcpoi't;—“Distinctly' .saw light of’plane for about five minutes under low, long cloud, circling round, then disappeared behind cloud, heading over the land. Saw two flares drop. Could not be mistaken for lightning.”—Signed by master of Kaiwarra.

2.40 p.m.—The following telegram was received from the postmaster, Martinborough'“ Mr Adam Wright and others in his company report to me that at 11.20 o’clock last evening they sighted over the llimutakas, in the vicinity of Kaitoke, a very bright light about 4,000 ft in tho air. The object appeared to bo dying and turning, and the light would be lost. The dropping of tho object was distinctly noticeable, and it was beading along tho bills on the western sido of Wairarapa Lake, and then observed to come down to tho skyline and disappear over Orongorongo Point. Before disappearing it dropped in three distinct motions. The night was beautifully clear and starlight and no wind.”

Tho following message was received at 9.30 to-night by tho secretary of tho Telegraph Ollice from Mr W. Jones, postmaster, Endeavour Inlet (Marlborough), and is issued for general information:—“ S. W. Adams and party, of Blenheim, now holidaying at Endeavour Inlet, report as follows An aeroplane came in 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 hour it was probably tho missing aviators’ ’plane. It was darting about in tho fog a.s though hunting for Stephen’s Island light. The aeroplane’s manoeuvres indicated that it had lost its bearings, and was searching for a light. The ’plane was not hoard, but the light appeared about seven or eight miles away and right above tho range at 2,000 ft height. Tho party watched it from midnight till 2 o'clock.” A Wanganui solicitor, a passenger on tho evening express from Wellington to Marton on Tuesday evening, states that twenty or thirty persons on the train distinctly saw a ’plane flying inland from Porirua. When lie hoard others talking about it he looked out and discerned a speck in the distance, rapidly disappearing. This was about 8 o’clock.