THE POLAR FLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22741, 29 November 1935, Page 9

THE POLAR FLIGHT

SIGNALS FROM PLANE PICKED UP BY WARSHIP (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 28. The Director-general of the Post and Telegraph Department advises that H.M.S. Dunedin. in Picton Harbour, reports having heard radio signals from the Ellsworth expedition aeroplane at 12.20 this morning. The signals were very weak and unreadable, but the call sign " Khnir," was heard several times. The plane appeared to be giving figures continuously. A watch is still being maintained by New Zealand land stations. HEARD BY THE MONOWAI (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 28. The Monow/ii, coming down the coast from Auckland, also heard Ellsworth's signals at 12.20, but they were not readable. THE WYATT EARP SCEPTICAL NEW YORK, November 27. (Received Nov. 28, at 10.15 p.m.) A message from the Wyatt Earp says that the Director-general of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department sent a message saying that H.M.S. Dunedin, at 0.20 a.m., heard Ellsworths call sign, Khnir. It is hoped that the signal was from the Polar Star, as the time corresponds with that agreed upon for the use of the emergency apparatus, if necessary, but possibly the signals heard in New Zealand were from the Wyatt Earp. If the signals did come from Ellsworth they should be heard again, and vigilance is being maintained by radio operators. The Wyatt Earp moved to Deception Island to-day. The mail and supplies for the British Graham Land Expedition, which is based about 220 miles south-west of here, will be left in one of the snow-proof houses, where it was hoped to be able to deliver them when the Graham Expedition was on its way to Ross Sea, but now the Wyatt Earp will probably return to Magallanes and thence go direct to Charcot Island and lay depots as a matter of precaution before proceeding to the Bay of. Whales, where it is hoped Ellsworth is. It will probably be the middle of January before the ship is able to get through the pack ice on the edge of Ross Sea. Ellsworth had supplies to last two months.