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Grey River Argus, 11 January 1928, Page 5

ing fur the airmen. Between two ami j three thousand people are luuKiiig this J way. and that in readiness to raise F the joyful shout that will announce J the end of a perfect day.'’ These were the wjuids of the ann.uuncei* of |2YA Wellington, broadcasting from Trentham Park, where the intrepid aviators were expected io land, and which weiu heard by thousands of anxious listcners-in waiting for the news of the safe arrival ol the plane. At 10.30 the plane was sighted flying over Foxton, continued the announcer. The night is still and perfect, and in a few minutes should be heard the news of the landing. At .11.30 the announcer stated that news had been received that the plane had been sighted flying over Porirua, but this was not authenticated by the officials. ‘‘There is much conjcctive as to the amount of petrol on the aeroplane, many fearing that the supply will run short, but: on enquiry it is learnt that there is plenty of petrol still on board to ensure a safe landing. The report is official that the plane was sighted over Foxton at 10.30.’’ At 11.30 it was annoum-n-i ■’ < Hie sky was tad disappeared. j ti ie sky had. been clear and bright. However ample ight was given by the flares and car •eadlights. “The crowd is stated » number two thousand, and all eyes arc anxiously turned skywards. There is stiil no further word.’’ A false alarm was raised at 11.45 by one of the watchers, but what was taken to bo the plane turned out to be a luminous cloud. Cameramen were on the spot alertly waiting to snap the men. The only official report received was that of the airmen passing Foxton at 10.30 p.m. “I am euro you will be all glad to hear from Mrs. Moncrieff, wife of Lieut. Mon-i crieff,’’ Was the next announcement. I Mrs. Moncrieff’s optimism MRS MONCRIEFF’S OPTIMISM. The faith and confidence in which Mrs Moncrieff hold the venture was exemplified by the unfaltering manner in which. her voice was heard over the wireless. “Good evening everybody. I should like to tell you that I have every confidence that th.e flight will be successful. I should also like to express my appreciation at the sportsmanlike attitude adopted by the people to the venture. Good night.”

Through tho announcer the backers of the flight also expressed their appreciation at the kindly attitude adopted by the people. Uncertainty and anxiety began to prevail midnight, those on Trentham Park fearing that an accident had occurred just as the successful termination of the flight seemed assured. A conjecture on the part of the backers that the aviators Were circling round waiting for the moon to appear before landing was accepted as likely. PDANE sighted by arahura. At 11 p.m. over Jackson Head was the next report, which was given colour to bv the fact that the plane had been under observation from Stphen’s Island since 10.10 p.m. At 12.30 it was stated that the plane was sighted over Jackson’s Beacon which is situated 29 nautical miles from Wellington. It was thought by men connected with the flight that the plane would be cruising around in the vicinity of the Sounds. TRENTHAM, January 11. AT 1 a,m. The Defence Department were sending up rockets in the hope that the aviators’ attention would be drawn to the landing place. Tho officials were investigating a report that the aeroplane had been seen over the Featherston and Rimutakas. This was confirmed by three persons in Martinborough, who stated that they sighted the plane and immediately communicated with Wellington. In Featherston three persons also stated that they had seen the aeroplanes. Anxious crowds were still waiting at 1 a.m. in large numbers nt Trentham Park expecting the aviators to land at any moment. Included in the crowd were several ladies reluctant to leave until something definite was reported. A report about 1.45 a.m. stated that the plane had been sighted over Lyall Bay, but this lacked confirmation. At 2 a.m. rockets were being still sent up at Trentham, but there was no further word of the plane having been sighted. For the foregoing radio account we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr J. Saunders, Boundary Street, LATEST. The Plane Ac-Te-Aroa is assumed to have landed on some beach,