SOUTHERN CROSS MESSAGES

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1934, Page 7

SOUTHERN CROSS MESSAGES

REPORTED DIFFICULT RECEPTION. GISBORNE EXPRESSES SURPRISE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, Jan. 15. Surprise was expressed locally at the reported difficulty of the Broadcasting Board securing messages from the Southern Cross during Saturday’s flight, since the plane’s radio was received with the greatest clarity in the later afternoon. Having heard the Southern Cross intimate before 7 o’clock that land had been sighted, listeners were amazed later to hear broadcasting stations read the text of a message sent at noon stating that there was consternation aboard the plane. It is stated that when Sir Charles Kingsford Smith made his flight last year radio amateurs voluntarily organised a service with a view to assisting the authorities, but when the reports were transmitted they were informed that no assistance was required. In view of this experience no special action was taken this year, although detailed messages from the plape would have been available had the board desired; The general manager of the New Zealand Broadcasting Board, Mr. E. C. Hands, in expressing disappointment at the delay in getting the messages from the Southern Cross on Saturday, stated that the Government receiving station in Wellington, ZLW, had difficulty in maintaining communication, but eventually received the messages addressed to the board, states a Wellington Press Association message.