OPTIMISM JUSTIFIED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 11

OPTIMISM JUSTIFIED.

AUTHORITIES ACCEPT NEWS TRANSPORTING THE AVIATORS METHOD NOT YET DECIDED. DETAILED STORY STILL AWAITED (Received April 13. 12.35 a.m.) SYDNEY. April 12. Tho Secretary of tho Defence Department, Mr. - Malcolm L. Shepherd, speaking in Melbourne this afternoon, said the: finding of tho crew of the Southern Cross justified tho optimism of Colonel Brinsmead, Controller of Civil Aviation, that they would be found in tho neighbourhood of Port George on ono of tho mud flats thereabouts. The department • had no official confirmation of the news, but accepted the reports as collect. It was now awaiting advices from Captain Holden at Wyndham. Mr. Shepherd said it seemed that the method of transporting the aviators from tho flats must be worked out by the men on tho spot. However, tho department would co-operate. Tho telegraph lines are congested tonight and no detailed account of tho day's thrilling happening is yet available from Wyndham. The fato of tho Southern Cross has been a mystery for 13 days. Under the command of Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith she left Richmond aerodrome, Sydney, for Wyndham, Western Australia, on Saturday, March 30, at 10.50 a.m., on the first stage of an attempted (light to England. At 3 a.m. next day a wireless message was received from the airmen announcing tho probability of a landing being made at Wyndham at 9 or 10 a.m. Later, however, came the news that the airmen were about to make a forced landing, at a point believed to bo about 150 miles from their destination. Just after tho departure of tho monoplane a niossago from Wyndham urged its recall, as fog and rain were prevalent there. On April 2 grave doubts as Id th» safety of the fliers were entertained as no definite information could be obtained regarding their location Native runners were despatched from the Forest Piiver Mission to the DrysdaJe Liver Mission. 100 miles distant, to seek news of 'he airmen. The fact that the Southern Cross only carried food for three or four meals made tlie outlook more serious. On April 3, no news having yet been received, the Commonwealth Defence Department issued orders to Commander L, Wackett to assist in the search, but bad weather delayed his departure. The air linei Canberra was also commissioned to assist. On Friday aviators m two aeroplanes from Wyndham scoured the Drysdale district. One party communicated with the monks at tho Drysdale mission station, and were told that the Southern Cross had passed over the station at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 31. The monks stated that Flight-Lieutenant. Ulm had radioed that they would have to make a forced landing. Further signals from the monoplane were heard for another 45 minutes. Then there was silence. It was then dedrced that the landing had been made within a radius of about 50 miles from the Drysdale mission station. Last Monday it was announced that it had been established that tho .Southern Cross passed over Port George IV. mission station on March 31. The report infused new hope into (he searchers and parties were despatched from the mission and from Walcott inlet. On the same day a denial was given to the rumour that tho missing machine had been located at Thurburn Bluff, on the north coast. Assistance was sent to Air-Pilot dialer, whose machine was damaged in a forced landing at Walcott Inlet. The air liner Canberra, in charge of f'aptain Holden, arrived at Newcastle Water. Several other machines joined in the search, and it was pointed out that petrol supplies in the search area were low and that further aeroplanes would only embarrass tho position. The search for signs and information on Tuesday was fruitless. The Canberra covered a section of Western Australia from the Wyndham base and the air-craft-carrier Albatross was held ready for despatch with petrol. Hopes were again revived on Wednesday, when it was announced that Air-Pilot Woods had been informed at Iho Drysdale River Mission that the Southern Cross was on the coast 30 miles south-west of the station. There was some scepticism regarding the value of tho information, as it was thought that it might have originated with tho natives. Woods had flown over tho mission station, and in answer to signals tho monks had replied: "Tho Southern Cross is between Drysdale and Port George IV.. and a boat has been sent down the coast." Nothing encouraging was heard from the other six aeroplanes engaged in the, search on that day. On Thursday it was stated that tho rumour from tlie Drysdale mission station was unfounded. Four large land parties were out between Drysdale and Port (ioorgo. Tho air liner Canberra spent the day at Wyndham for overhaul preparatory fo the flight yesterday, which ended in success. The Albatross was ordered to sail with six machines on tho sever, day voyage to tho locality whi<p» was being scoured.