Still No News

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 175, 27 July 1935, Page 5

Still No News

Extensive Air Search Falls to Locate Armstrong

FIFTEEN ’PLANES OPERATE WITH GOOD VISIBILITY

(Special to “Times.”)

HASTINGS, Last Night

After a search carried out yesterday by fifteen planes flying over a large expanse of country to the north and north-west of Pukctitiri, whence reports that a plane had been hoard on Sunday morning last had been received, no trace otl Mr Hamisli Armstrong or his plane was found to-day.

Planes flew a combined total mileage of between 7000 and SOOO miles, and some pilots carried out as much ■as seven hours’ flying. The pilots had apparently a hopeless task, for in the opinion of most of them, the country over which the search is now concentrated is even .more mountainous than the Whakararas. During the past few days reports .that a plane had been heard flying over near Pukctitiri as well as in the vicinity of the Taupo road, began to .bear an appearance of credibility. It was discovered on interviewing people from whom the reports came, that it was reasonable to ussumo that Mr Armstrong had actually passed over the Ruahino and Whakarara ranges. At first these reports, in view of what was considered very reliable information from central Hawke’s Bay, were not seriously considered, but as information accumulated, tho theory that •Mr Armstrong had lost himself somewhere north of Pukctitiri came to be accepted. Until to-day it was impossible on account of the weather to .make a thorough search. Conditions ifor flying to-day were extremely cold, especially this afternoon, aud the pilots suffered a great deal from cold.

'However, they derived some consolation from tlie fact that tho day was the iirst since tho search commenced ■that there was full visibility from the

air. The pilots felt confident that if the missing plane was in a position to be seen from the air, then they would find it.

Tho boundaries of the area covered •to-day may bo taken as Avuripaponga, north-east to Puketitiri, and to Tewaka (2d mii'cs airline), north, northeast to the junction of 'i'o Aloe and Mohaka rivers (20 miles), -westward to ■Kaweka, .10 miles from Taupe (4.5 .miles), and back again in a southeasterly direction to -Kuripnponga (00 mules). Thirteen planes took part in the search in the earlier part of the •morning, but by noon the number increased lo fifteen. The whole day was spent Hying but there was nothing to ibe seen of tho missing machine nor •even any sign of what might possibly ibe it. The machines taking part were •two Air Force pianos, one from Auckland and one from Sockburn; two •Auckland Aero Club machines, two •from the Hawke’s Hay club, two from •the AAaiiawatu club, one from tho Western Federated Club, the Fast Coast Airways’ Dragon, tho Waco •machine from Wellington, two Wellington club machines, one from the •Wairnra.pa. club and Air Stan White’s .machine, this last mentioned being the one he used in order to fly from England to Australia.

Though hope that Mr Armstrong will be found appears remote at the moment, some searchers arc inclined to feel there is a possibility that he .came down in some locality from which, if he were uninjured and able ,to walk, lie could make his way out, •but only after several days. At is recalled that Dr. Hutch and a parly of •trainpers were lost in the Tararuas and themselves walked out after other tramping parties who had been looking for them, had given up all hope of finding them alive. It is believed that •he had wit’ll him emergency rations that he always kept in his machine or •took on his flights. Ho also made it a •rule never to' go on flights without a supply of matches.