TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES.

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

TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES.

REAFFIRM PREVIOUS STATEMENTS.

WELLINGTON, January 11. The following are copies of the Beports received by the secretary of the General Post Office to-day:— 9 a.m.—ln reply to a question about his report last night, Stephen's Island states that the aeroplane was not actually seen, but the lights were plainly distinguishable. No motor roar was audible. The lights were travelling in the directi in of S.S.E.

9.40 a.m.—ln reply to an inquiry about his report last night, the captain of the Arahura states that he knows nothing about seeing the aeroplane. He neither saw nor heard anything about it. The wireless operator on the Arahura states that last night’s message was only n rumour. Several passengers reported seeing a red light passing eastward, high over the land. The message was sent because it might have helped. Those >n the bridge did not see anything. 10.5 a.m.—ln reply to further inquiries the postmaster at Paekakariki stated: “ I am endeavouring to get into touch with Messrs Harris and Pepperell again, and will report as soon as possible Harris is an engine-driver on the railway, and saw hundreds of ’planes when on active service. He was very positive that he saw the ’olane against a bank of clouds. He knew that it was a -monoplane by the two wings, and he could see the ..nder carriage. Pepperell is a builder, and is equally certain that he saw the machine.' After losing sight of the machine they rushed home to hear the announcement of the arrival by wireless, but as nothing was broadcasted they reported to me. They are both sensible, unemotional men. They were on a hill bv themselves.”

At 12.12 p.m the postmaster reported further as follows—“I have had independent interviews with Messrs Peppered and Harris The former states that they picked up the monoplane flying low and fast shortly before 9 p.m. , Mt Pepperell left to call his wife, and was unable to locate the ’plane again. Mr Harris states that he followed the ’plane until it was lost to view behind Pukerua Bay Point. It appeared to him that the machine had a downward tendency. The statement by Mr Harris on Tuesday evening “ that the machine was noticed to pass through the fringe of the bank of cloud at intervals” does not coincide with Mr Pepperell’s estimate given this morning that “ the machine appeared to be four or five miles from the shore. Kapiti Island is nine miles distant from the coast, and the bank of cloud mentioned was some distance further to seaward. 'Both rtate that they conscientiously believe the object sighted was an aeroplane. Mr Harris has recently bee passed first-class as regards eyesight, and is an engine-driver. He states that he had considerable experience with this type of machine at the front, and could pick out the single span of wings the under carriage, and the peculiar formation of the tail. Irm reporting shortly as regards their preparedness to sign a statement on oath if necessary.”

At 12.40 p.m. a further report was received as follows: —“ Messrs J. E. G. Pepperell and A. C. Harris, of Paekakariki, state that they are both prepared to sign a statement oh oath that they actually saw an aeroplan e off the coast shortly before 9 u.m. on the 10th instant.”

At 11.22 a.m a telegram was received from the postmaster at Eketahuna as foL lows:—“Three persons, apparently reliable, claim to have sighted an aeroplane over Rongomai, six miles north-east of Eketahuna. at 10.45 last night, flying south-east, but changed its cours e to south and disappeared in that direction.” 12.25 p.m.—Further inouiries made from the postmaster at Eketahuna. who reported as follows : —“ Interviewed those people personally, and am not favourably

impressed. They stick to their story, but the light, which resembled the powerful headlight of a motor car, was not directly overhead. It was off at an angle, and I think it might possibly have beep, a motor car breasting a hi‘ll. They do not claim haVe seen anything but a light! lhe persons are Mrs Evans and her twQ sons, aged 19 and 22. I think they werq mistaken. They say the hum of the eiit gine was distinctly’ heard. This, I coil, sider, wag a motor car.”

12.5 p.m.—ln reply to a telephone itis quiry. the postmaster at Foxton report's as follows:—■" From inquiries made by, me at the Heads, where the report origin nated, they were mistaking a verv bright star for the ’plane's light. Mr s M'Don* said she heard the hum of an engine but I feel sure she heard a car. Thq wife of the postmaster at the Heads saicj she saw the ’plane’s outline, but when questioned she was uncertain. Actually n Q one S a w anything but a light. I am’ cer, tain they were all mistaken.” 12.45 p.m.—The department instructed offices at coastal towns on the west coast of both islands to post notices and circu'i late requests that a lookout be kept iq case the missing aviators have landed at an isolated part of the west coast of the Dominion.

12.50 p.m.—ln reply to an inquiry from radio, Wellington, the wireless station iq •Sydney reports that no series of lights or flares was carried out, but that Captain Kight states that the lights seen might have been the flames from two exhausts under the cowling. No navigation lights were carried by the airmen. 2.25 p.m.—lhe following was received f*_om Mr Burt, farmer, Martinborough :—• ‘I, H. Burt, farmer, residing on the eastern side of Wairarapa Lake, was har. vesting with my hands, late last night, and the hands observed a light travelling over the Masterton district to the neighbourhood of Kaitoke along the eastern ranges. At 1 a.m. I distinctly saw an unusual light in the air between my house and the Rimutakas. The light appeared to be heading in the direction of Martinborough, about 100 ft above the lake On the eastern sid e of the lake there are about 1000 acres of dense flax and manuka. Captain Hood, who has a relative farming m this district, knows the locality well.”

2.40 p.m.—ln reply to a further inquiry from the Kaiwarra about the statement made last night, the master of the vessel makes the following report:—" Distinctly saw light of ’plane for about five minutes under low, long cloud, circling round, then disappeared behind cloud, heading over the land. Saw two flares drop. Could not be mistaken for lightning.”—Signed by master of Kaiwarra.'

2.40 p.m.—The following telegram was received from the postmaster, Martinborough:—" Mr Adam Wright and others in his company report to me that at 11.20 o’clock last evening they sighted over the Rimutakas, in the vicinity of Kaitoke a very bright light about 4000 ft in the air. The object appeared to be flying and turning and the light would be lost. The dropping of the object was distinctly noticeable and was heading along the hillg on the western side of Wairarapa Lake, and then observed to come down to the skyline and disappear over OrongoroiYgo Point, before disappearing it dropped/in three distinct motions. Too night .was beautifully clear and starlight and no wind.”