LOST IN BACKBLOCKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 March 1930, Page 5

LOST IN BACKBLOCKS

AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN LAND 1 APPEALS FOR ASSISTANCE [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] 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 50 miles 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. A message received through the Amalgamated Wireless, says that the plane should be £een easily from the air. The men have emergency rations, sufficient for several days. It is believed that their landing was made on the Carlton reach of the Ord River, between Ivanhoe and Argyle Downs.

SEARCH PARTIES’ FAILURE (Recd. March 30, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 31. Latest advices from Wyndham concerning the City of Sydney airmen are disquieting. In a message from the plane at two o’clock yesterday afternoon, Smith and Thiers obviously indicated that, they were considering a dash for the nearest station. At that period their food was low, but 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 out, one since. 3.15 p.m. on Saturday, and another from daylight on Sunday. A posse from Wyndham returned and reported having gone thirty miles past the spot where the men were supposed to have landed. Wyndham received a wireless from the plane at 6.15 p.m. yesterday, stating their battery was low and they appealed for food to be sent immediate--7 Healey’s party which returned searched the east side of the Ord river. Observation is difficult in a motor car, owing to the long grass. A party has been sent to search the other side on horseback. Healey thinks that an aeroplane will be necessary to locate the position.

PIPER AND KAY. - . SYDNEY, March 30. Kay and Piper left Longreach this morning in continuation of the flight to Sydney, but engine trouble developed and thev were forced to land three miles out from the township.. Working all day on the engine, which was dismantled, they expected to complete tteh overhaul to-night, and resume the journey to-morrow, and arrive at Sydney on Wednesday. WOMAN’S LUCKY ESCAPE. LONDON, March 29. Miss Gladys Grace, -the 26-year-old grand-daughter of the late Dr. W. G. Grace, the famous cricketer, and an enthusiastic airwoman, had a miraculous escape when her machine stalled at the, top of a loop, and developed a spin. The ’plane descended spirally for two thousand feet to earth, and was wrecked. The engine .of the plane was buried six feet in the ground. Miss Grace was rendered unconscious in the cockpit, but her only injury was a cut on the forehead. When rescued she exclaimed: “What have I done? Where am I?”

WILKINS’ TRIBUTE TO EIELSON. ' l MONTREAL, March 29. A message from Hatton, North Dakota, states: Sir H. Wilkins, who was delayed by snow storms, arrived to pay his respects at Eielson’s'grave, on which he placed a wreath. He said: “I cannot say enough about him. I thought of him as a friend and a man. Ho was a skilful flier, but he was the best pal that a man ever had. The storms at Chicago and Detroit have reminded me of the flights Ben and I made in the Arctic. It made it just a little harder to think of them burying him out. here.” WHAKATANE TEST. WHAKATANE, March 31. A monoplane, constructed at Whakatane, was given a flying test on Ohope beach yesterday, by the builder, John Allison. The plane rose from the beach and flew about a mile sixty feet up in the air, but as the motor did not appear to be functioning perfectly, the aviator deemed it wise to effect a landing, and not make any more tests that day. A further flying test will be made this week.