SMITH LOST

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 7

SMITH LOST

FLIER OVERDUE FORCED DOWN IN SEA? NO REPORT FOR 22 HOURS SEEN BY MR. C. MELROSE SEARCH STARTS TO-DAY By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 1 a.m. Singapore, Nov. 8. Anxiety is felt at the non-arrival of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who left Allahabad 22 hours ago and earned petrol insufficient for such a long period. He was 10 hours overdue when darkness fell to-night without any sign of the plane. It is generally believed that he has been forced down at sea. Mr. C. J. Melrose, who was interviewed on his arrival from Alor Star on a flight to Australia, said he 'saw a plane, which undoubtedly must have been Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s, pass 200 feet above him at 2 a.m. to-day over the Bay of Bengal 150 miles from land. Mr. Melrose saw a flame in the darkness seemingly coming from the plane s twin exhaust. It is believed Sir Charles has been forked down at sea between Rangoon or •Akyab and Victoria Point. Singapore is sending out wireless SOS messages for all ships to keep a watch for the plane. Mr. Melrose will join in a search that will be commenced to-morrow by Royal Air Force planes. ' , Hope is not yet abandoned that Sir Charles will be found because there are many desolate spots where the airman might have landed and have been unable to make contact with civilisation. A squadron of bombers at present up country has been ordered to prepare to leave for a search. An Imperial Airways liner near Penang reports having passed a storm be-

tween Raykap and Malaya in the vicinity of which Sir Charles should have passed. Sir Charles arrived at Allahabad at 5.25 p.m. (local 'time). He was then 2 hours 57 minutes behind Mr. C. W. A. Scott's record-breaking time. The airmen washed and had refreshments at Allahabad. Sir Charles stated that nothing untoward had occurred between Bagdad and Allahabad. The airmen left Allahabad at 6.25 p.m. for Singapore and passed over Calcutta at 9.6 p.m.