KINGSFORD SMITH STILL MISSING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4571, 12 November 1935, Page 3

KINGSFORD SMITH STILL MISSING.

WIDE AREA COVERED BY SEARCHERS.

Flying boats, searemng ior oir Charles. Kingsford Smith and Mr Pethybridge, fIeAV from Singapore to Rangoon to-day and thoroughly searched the Bay of Bengal without success. The Vildebeestes and Melrose searched the coast and all the islands AvestAvard of Siam Avith no success. All are resuming at daAvn Avhen the dying boats Avill make a wider sAveep over the route.

The Australian GoA’ernment has sent a message' to Air-Commodore Sidney Smih Avarmly thanking him for his search efforts. Commodore Smith says he will continue while there is the faintest hope.

The Commonwealth has also authorised the use of the Quantas D.H. 86 noAV at Singapore, and the airliner is taking off at daAvn for Mergui. SIR. €. W. SCOTT HOPEFUL - London, November 10. The British public are anxiously awaiting news of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, to whom the neAVSpapers pay a tribute as “the grcat : est airman.” 1 A friend Avho farewelled Sir Charles Smith, said that the airman believed the machine Avould float for tAVo days, and lie carried shears to cut the engine away. The Morning Post emphasises that there are thousands of islands in the Bay of Bengal and vast tracts of jungle and forest on the mainland. It is quite possible that Sir Charles is safe, even if nothing is heard for several days. Mr C. W. Scott, Avinner of the Melbourne centenary race, in an intervieAV Avith the Sun-Herald Agency, said he refused to consider that a. tragedy had occurred. It Avas absurd to be pessimistic before the search parties had a chance to thoroughly comb the area. MISS JEAN BATTEN FLYING TO SOUTH AMERICA. London, November 11. Miss Jean Batten took off for South America at 6.30 a.m., flying a Percival Gull, Avhieh has a cruising speed of 160 miles an hour and additional petrol tanks giving it a range of 2400 miles. ‘Tsn’t it lovely. ■ I am just dying to start,” said Miss Batten, getting a glimpse of the silver monoplane glittering in the, dawn as she entered the aerodronie. “I am placing my life in her hands.”

Miss Batten is not carrying a parachute, lifeboat or collapsible boat. She expects a head wind for 200 miles and some fog fov hail. She hopes to reach Morocco today. If the Aveather is unfavourable she Avill probably descend at Madrid.

While at Lympne waiting to start on the flight to South America, Miss Batten said: “I intend to fly across Europe and West Africa and then try .to beat the sea crossing record of 16 hours. I have a good plane a range of 2400 miles and cruising speed of 150 miles an hour. The French authorities made conditions before alloAving. me to fly over West Africa hut these Avere in my interests. I must carry 12 days’ emergency rations, two gallons of water and a revolver, and a signal pistol firing coloured lights. I shall again AA r ear the New Zealand flag muffled. I Avant to be the first woman to fly across the South Atlantic.”