The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1935. MISSING AVIATOR.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13103, 11 November 1935, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1935. MISSING AVIATOR.

It is perhaps too soon to think of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith as amongst the legion of lost airmen. Tt is conceivable that- he landed safely in some out-of-the-way spot to shelter from the violence of the weather and at any minute of the day or night, word may be Hashed through that he and his companion are safe and well. We sincerely hope so. But the complete silence ns to his whereabouts is none the less disturbing. Were it not for the war, the All Blacks, the racing carnivals and other special news features the press no doubt would be featuring the disappearance of the world’s outstanding aviator in a sensational manner. There is this to be said about it, however, “Smithy” has been missing before and has always shown up. His admirers are confident now that even if he did strike trouble his knowledge and skill as a. pilot would ensure his safe landing somewhere but this may be carrying confidence a little too far. No man, or machine, can achieve the impossible. Engine trouble in a storm over a mountainous range at night presents a well-nigh insuperable problem and if such a. fate betel Australia’s air ace the outcome may have spelled disaster, tragically sudden. The sincere wish of all will be that “Smithy” landed safely and is taking shelter. The suggestion that even supposing he had been forced down into the sea his machine would float is no consolation at all when we remember that the same encouragement was held out for FlightLieutenant Flm when he crashed ■ n the ocean near Honolulu but the optimism proved to be unjustified and no further trace was found of an intrepid band. News of Sir Charles will be anxiously awaited and it is re-assuring to know that an exhaustive search is being conducted. If and when, news comes, it is our "devout wish that it will be good news.