SEARCH STARTS EARLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 12

SEARCH STARTS EARLY.

PROMPT MEASURES TAKEN.

STEAMERS AND AEROPLANES.

PRIME MINISTER'S TRIBUTE,

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. "WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

A comprehensive search for the two airmen who were missing in the Marlborough Aero Club's Moth plane yesterday was commenced early this morning, news of their safety not having been received last night. The Harbour Board tug Toia left at 10 o'clock for Cloudy Bay and Queen Charlotte ound, and the Union Steam Ship Company's steamer Totara, which lpft at 11 o'clock for New Plymouth, was instructed to keep a sharp watch for any sign of the fliers. Sir Joseph Ward was advised that five aeroplanes left Blenheim to search for the missing aviators.

The news that the airmen had been safely located was received with great gratification this morning by the Prime Minister who last night caused an immediate search to be instituted. Sir Joseph Ward at once despatched the following telegram to Captain Chandler and 'Mr. Macdonald, on learning news of their safety:— "I need hardly tell you my colleagues and I havo received the news of your safety with very much pleasure and relief, and I am sure that these feelings are shared by the people of New Zealand." Sir' Joseph also sent the following telegram to Mr. Dix, president of the Marlborough Aero Club:—"lt is with feelings of the greatest satisfaction that we have received the news of the safety in Ship Cove of the missing airmen, Captain Chandler and Mr. Macdonald. The Government was only too pleased to do everything possible to co-operate with you in arranging for a thorough sea.rch to be undertaken at the earliest moment,"

The following message was sent by the Prime Minister to the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, and a message in the same terms was sent to Mr. W. A. Kennedy, local manager of the Union Steam Ship Company:—"On behalf of the Government I desire to express my warm appreciation of the prompt manner in which you responded to my request to despatch a steamer in search of the missing airmen, Captain Chandler and Mr. Macdonald. lam exceedingly glad to inform you that the gratifying news of their safety in Ship Cove has just come to hand." Last night Sir Joseph Ward sent, a wireless message to Captain Morgan of the steamer Maori requesting him to keep a look-out for tjig missing plane. To-day Captain Morgan informed the Prime Minister that he had complied with the request and he was thanked by Sir Joseph for the steps he had taken.