BASELESS REPORT

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 4 February 1931, Page 6

BASELESS REPORT

POSITION OF WINDWARD

YACHT STILL MISSING

A widely-circulated rumour current throughout New Zealand yesterday that the missing yacht Windward had been found was without foundation in fact. Mr. G. C. Godfrey, Secretary of Marine, received no reports to substantiate the rumour. He communicated by radio with the Chatham Islands and received a reply that nothing had been seen or heard of the missing yacht. It is understood that the Chatham Island fishermen have been keeping a look-out for the Windward. Mr. Godfrey radioed a request to the county chairman at the Chat-hams requesting him to arrange for a search to be made in the vicinity of the islands.

At noon yesterday the master of tlie Government steamer Matai radioed that the ship’s position was then latitude 44 degrees 37 minutes south, longitude 179 degrees 39 minutes west. The wind was south-west and the sea was rough. Visibility was good, but nothing had been sighted. The following radio message was received from the master of the Matai last evening: “Position at 6 p.m., latitude 46 degrees 15 minutes south, longitude 179 degrees 77 minutes west. Steaming 168 degrees 78 miles; then 262 degrees 80 miles; then searching vicinity of Bounty Island.’’

A message was broadcast- by 2YA last night to the crew of the Windward giving instructions how to turn their wireless receiving set into a temporary transmitter. Mr. W. W. Dawson, chief engineer of Philips’ Lamps (N.Z.) Ltd., stated that with the wireless set that is on the yacht it would not be a very difficult matter for the crew to alter the set carried by the Windward. In the event of their hearing the instructions and acting on them they would be able to give their position. The same firm intends communicating with wireless amateurs throughout New Zealand asking them to listen-in for any message from the Windward on a definite wave-length and at a given time. The other three main broadcasting centres, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, are being asked to broadcast the same appeal.