“MISSING” AIRMEN SAFE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1934, Page 9

“MISSING” AIRMEN SAFE

LANDING AT NINETY MILE BEACH SURPRISE ARRIVAL AT MANGERE ' STORY OF TASMAN CROSSINGt By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, November 23. RAFTER being given up as lost, the Tasman Sea fliers, FlyingOfficer R. G. Whitehead and Mr. R. Nicholl, landed on a beach in North Auckland at 6.35 o’clock last night, but were unable to make, their presence known owing to an impassable stream. They spent the night on ,the beach, and this morning flew to Mangere Aerodrome," 3 * Auckland, landing at 7.20 o’clock to be greeted by a solitary member of the Auckland Aero Club. It is thought that the original landing place was Ninety Mile Beach. The first: to greet the Tasman airmen on arrival at Mangere was Mr. M. Buzio, a member of the Aero Club. He had, after reading all the reports, come to the conclusion that the aeroplane landed somewhere last night, that it would appear early this morning, and that possibly it would arrive at Mangere. He had only been on the aerodrome a few minutes when about 7 o’clock he heard the drone of a plane overhead and was not greatly surprised to see that it was the Faith in New Zealand. It landed in the outskirts of the aerodrome and the engine stopped. He rushed over and found Messrs. Whitehead and Nicholl, pleased, but not excited. They; looked Worn, and obviously very tired. They told him they had allowed a wide margin for southern drift, and at dusk last night sighted “a good piece of sand.” They did not know where they were, except that it was somewhere in North Auckland. Tljey decided it was better to land there than to look for an aerodrome. Having landed, they thought of telephoning, but could find no habitation. They therefore stayed the night on the beach and set off early this morning in order to allay the anxiety felt for them as soon as possible. After being given a light meal the airmen were put to bed, but were awakened later in the morning.