THE RETURN FLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 227, 25 September 1928, Page 8

THE RETURN FLIGHT.

FINE RUNWAY PREPARED. AIRMEN DELIGHTED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) BLENHEIM, Monday. On their arrival from Wanganui to-day Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulin inspected the work the Marlborough Aero Club has done in preparation for the arrival of the Southern Cross. The temporary hangar, with a span of 82ft and a depth of 50ft, is under,construction, and a small army of men is engaged in perfecting the already excellent runway and in erecting enclosures to accommodate the crowd which is expected. Although the ground had been subjected to nearly 48 hours of heavy rain it was as firm as a board, and Kingsford Smith and hi* companions, after travelling up the runway in a car, were highly delighted with it. The runway is one milo and a-tenth in length, and the Southern Cross will easily be able to take off with the fuel tanks carrying from 60 to 100 gallons more petrol than the airmen had anticipated being able to carry. FAREWELL AT SOCKBURN. GREAT CROWD EXPECTED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Thousands of school children will be at Wigrnm Aerodrome to see the Southern Cross leave for Blenheim at 2 o'clock on Friday afternoon. All children will be granted a holiday, and taken to the aerodrome with their teachers. As the time of the. departure is fairly convenient, it is likely that thers will be a very large crowd of spectators in addition to the children. It is likely that the citizens of Christchurch will subscribe at least £500 for presentation to the co-commanders of the Southern Cross. Already a considerable amount has been subscribed, and to-morrow there is to be a street collection. The flight committee yesterday, decided to take steps to have the spot where the wheels of the Southern Cross first touched New Zealand soil marked with an inscribed tablet. "SMITHY'S" FLAG. WOMAN PROMISES TO RETURN IT. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, this day. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith will have his tattered Australian flag returned to him. A Wanganui lady has communicated with the Mayor, stating that in the crowd at Westinere on Sunday everyone was rushing to get a piece of the wattle which decorated "Smithy's" car, and the tattered flag being the handiest thing to her she took it on the spur of the moment, thinking at the time that it was unlikely'to be of any value to the airman. As soon as she read that the flag was greatly prized she made up her mind to return it.