Remarkable Scenes of Enthusiasm at News

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6884, 13 April 1929, Page 9

Remarkable Scenes of Enthusiasm at News

BELIEF IN KEITH ANDERSON’S SAFETY. Received Friday, 7 p.m. SYDNEY, April 12. There were remarkable scenes witnessed in many places to-day when news of the finding of the Southern Cross got abroad. The usual solemnity of the Stock Exchange, where bidders were immersed In financial calculation, was suddenly broken by an outburst of cheering and business was forgotten. At the National Party Congress, when the Prime Minister, Mr. T. R. Baviji, announced the news, prolonged cheers were given for Captain Holden, the pilot of Canberra. There were similar scenes at sports gatherings. One of the most pleased men in Sydney is Mr. F. B. Eager, part owner of Canberra, who was one of the prime movers in arranging Holden’s search. The aeroplane carrier Albatross cleared Sydney Heads at 12.34 p.m. and is going full speed westward. Although her company know the aviators have been found, the ship cannot turn hack till she receives specific orders from the Navy Board. She carries six seaplanes and 20,000 gallons of petrol. Lieut. Keith Anderson’s backer, Mr. J. Cantor, of Sydney, is confident that this airman who has not been heard of for two days, is safe. His search plan would take him out of the way of communications. Though he had instructions to report to-day, his objective was to enter the search area from south-east of Kimberley and to obtain information from cattle stations before proceeding further. t / The Federal Minister of Defence to-day conferred at Melbourne with the Aviation Department regarding the possibility of arranging a search for Anderson and his mechanic, Hitchcock. It is known that after leaving Alice Springs at 8.30 on Wednesday morning, they reached Woodford. 10G miles further on. They then continued on the direct route to Wyndham. No further news has been received. 2.15 p.m.: At a height of 4000 feet and maintaining a speed of 90 miles an hour. We are on an easterly course for Wyndham and have just passed the La wry river. Our bushmen are net feeling very well, owing to the bumps. v TELEGRAPH OPERATOR, NOT AIRMAN. The uncertainty caused by the appearance of the signature “ Anderson ” to the early rescue message has now been cleared up. ft was not that of the airman, but the telegraph operator an Darwin. The Canberra landed at Wyndham at 3.53, local time. Two R,A,A,F. ’planes have left Point Cook for Alice Springs to begin the search for Anderson.