AWAITING THE AIRMEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3853, 17 January 1928, Page 26

AWAITING THE AIRMEN.

KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST.

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS.

WELLINGTON, January 10. The sole topic of conversation in Wellington throughout to-day were the chances of Lieutenant Moncrieff and Captain Hood on the aeroplane Aotea-roa getting to New Zealand safely from Sydney. All the people consoled themselves with the reflection that whatever might have been the weather conditions when they set out on their long journey from Sydney, they at least had perfect weather at this end. Reports were obtained from the telephone exchange throughout the day stating that signals were constantly being obtained from the aeroplane, thus indicating that all was well. These reports quickened public interest, and about 10,000 people journeyed to Trentham racecourse by special trains and by motor cars for the arrival of the aviators, which was expected between 5.30 p.m. and 7 o’clock. The number of motor cars was about 600. After 5.30 p.m. the signals abruptly ceased, and the hopefulness of the people gave way to anxiety, which increased as the time went by without further signals. The lack of news, in fact, cast quite a gloom throughout the city. Among those on the racecourse waiting Hie ■ arrival were Mrs Moncrieff and Mrs •Hood. They and the great majority of tlie people waited until dark before returning to town. The road from Trentbam to Wellington was one long procession of motor cars, with headlights burning, the occupants of which were returning literally with heavy hearts. From 5 o clock right on through the night the Dominion office was besieged with telephone calls requesting information concerning the airmen. Among those who rang was Mrs Moncrieff, who was naturally feeling the strain of the long wait. Suddenly hope rose again The Telephone Exchange announced that word had been received that the aeroplane had been seen off Stephen’s Jslaiid, near Nelson, at 9.50 p.m. A little later further information was received from the postmaster that the aeroplane had been seen passing over Paekakariki, and making ou t to sea. The airmen were flying high, and on a downward g ide . , This course took them to btephen s Island. Apparently they were Sled* . for , Wrlh , n gton, for they must have off Pnv? aCk \r H ” Q e -Y Were next reported off Foxton. Meanwhile arrangements were "? ade - at Trentham to light flares to guide the airmen to a landing place, as it was stated that they expected to reach Trentham at 11 p.m., or soon after. How this time was fixed is not clear, for it seemed obvious that the men were not able to find Wellington. th J fc ' s pert,nent to observe that among abm.r th’l r m °n 5 circulated about town about the time the airmen were expected to arrive was one that they had been nr'Ll° V a r n VeStp ° rt ’ while a little boy at Island Bay was emphatic that he saw an aeroplane fall into the s ea. He w to ? le PollCe Station, and closely suit? U’ Wlthout an y satisfactory re 7 Tt " as , genially feared that they had gone off their course. ,