SOUTHERN CROSS CANARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 October 1928, Page 9

SOUTHERN CROSS CANARD.

RUMOURS OF FLIGHT. WATCHERS AT HAWERA. Resulting from a rumour which spread with amazing rapidity' shortly after midday, hundreds of residents of Hawera, including a few hardy souls who braved the gale sweeping the top of the water tower, were on the watch for a glimpse of the famous Southern Cross early this afternoon. The rumour was to the effect that the plane would pass over the town en route to Auckland, one report stating that the Tasman fliers were proceeding from Blenheim to Auckland and back in order to give the machine a test in preparation for the return flight to Australia, and another version being that the machine was being taken to Auckland to be shipped to Australia.

It was circulated freely that the intimation had originally been received over the wireless. Inquiries made, however, by a “Star” reporter from a considerable number of owners of wireless equipment and from optimistic watchers in the streets failed to iind a person who had actually heard the wireless' message, the general replies being: “No, I’ve heard nothing,” or “I only heard that so-and-so heard it was so.”

Up to the time the “Star” went to press no official advice had been received, and as such an event could be expected to be telegraphed immediately bv the Press Association representatives at Blenheim, it appears that the rumour was without foundation. From a reliable source the reporter also gathered the opinion that even had such a trip been contemplated it would be unlikely that it woiild be made in view of the gale blowing in the upper regions to-day.