Mystifying Disappearance.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 68, 22 April 1929, Page 7

Mystifying Disappearance.

Anderson's Plane Was Spscially Prepared For Trip. Wanted To Go Unpaid. The disappearance of Lieut. Keith Anderson during his searcli for the: Southern ('ross mystified aviation experts in Australia, for his plane was spceially tested before he set out, and the^ pilot knew the country well. 'Ihe Westland monojilaiie was espeeially fitted witli oxtra tanks, and had a range of 12.30 miles, if conditions_ allovved it to make its full speed ot f).3 miles an liour. Lieut. Anderson made Alaree in one lioju and hoped to flv to Wyndhani hy way of Alice Springs. Speeial arrangemcnts for jietrol supiilies along Ihe route were made. Alr John Cantor, a personal fricnd of Squadron-Lcader Kingsford-Smitli, is understood to have niateriall.v assisted in niaking tlie flight possible. ' LIKE TO LOGK FOR THE BOYS." Lieut. Anderson, a pilot of long experience, knew the region over wliieli the searcli for tbe Soutliern Cross was eondueted well. He fleiv over it during his trip around Australia. His meehanie was equally at bome over tlie rourse. At Richmond, before setting out or tbe seareh, tbe monopiane camo through lier t-ests well. Slie is reported to have gonc up 3000 leet in nine minutcs, carrying a full load. It is understood tliat a few days after the Southern Cross was reported missing, Keith Anderson remarked, "1 would give .anything to be able to go and look for tbe boys." "Right," said Alr J. Cantor. of tbe Customs House Hotel. "I will back you." "I want no money," said Anderson. "I would give anything to go." So Lieutenant Anderson left on April 10 on the fiigbt on wliieli be is reported to ba.ve made' tlie suprenie sat-rifice of ln.ving down liis life in try- , ing to save otliers.