SIGNALS MISREAD

Southland Times, Issue 20771, 11 May 1929, Page 7

SIGNALS MISREAD

CREW OF SOUTHERN CROSS. FLIGHT OVER DRYSDALE. Perth, May 10. A message has been received by the Chief Secretary from Captain Craie, who was sent from Wyndham to organize native parties to assist in the search for the Southern Cross, which shows that the Southern Cross could have descended at the Drysdale Mission, but mistook the beckoning of the missionaries to come down to be an indication that Wyndham was in a south-westerly direction. The message which SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith dropped from the plane for a direction had not then been seen and it was not found until three days later.—Australian Press Association. KINGSFORD SMITHS VERSION. (Rec. 8.45 p.m.) Sydney, May 10. Interviewed concerning the Drysdale Mission signal, Kingsford Smith said: “Wc attached the message to a pocket torch and flew 50 feet over the mission station. We thought we saw it pickeel up by two people resembling aborigines, one of whom pointed south-west. The other threw white objects, like pieces of wood, in the same direction. It is just possible that wc were mistaken and that they instead were pointing to the ground inviting us to land.” —Australian Press Association. SEARCH FOR THE KOOKABURRA. LOSS OF THREE PLANES. Melbourne, May 10. Of the five Air Force aeroplanes sent into Central Australia to search for the missing aviators recently, only two are likely to return to the Point Cook base. Two have already been written off as scrapped, due to engine faults, while a third was burned after escorting the pack-horse party back to Wave Hill.—Australian Press Association. EFFORTS TO RECOVER BODIES. SPECIALLY PREPARED TRUCK. (Rec. 8.45 p.m.) Sydney, May 10. Mr Abbott, Minister of Territories, has announced that a truck of the rigid sixwheeled variety is leaving Oodnadatta shortly to make an 80 mile dash to the scene of the Kookaburra, in order to bring back the Jodies of Anderson and Hitchcock. The truck will have a terrible task traversing the scrub, for which it is especially suited. It will take 600 gallons of water and will be directed by Air Force aeroplanes. The truck is perfonning the task free of all cost.—Australian Press Association.