THE RETURN FLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 229, 27 September 1928, Page 9

THE RETURN FLIGHT.

DEPARTURE FROM BLENHEIM.

TOWN FULL OF VISITORS.

BIG PLANE EXPECTED TO-MORROW

(Hy Telegraph.—Press Association.)

BLENHEIM * this day.

The {own is rapidly filling -with visitors who wish to witness the arrival and ■departure of the Southern Cross. Hotel accommodation is at a premium, and the Aero Club's accommodation bureau is hard put to it to satisfy all applicants.

Despite rumours emanating from IC'hristchureh, advice has been received from Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith that the Southern Cross will definitely arrive in Blenehim on Friday afternoon. unless the weather is very bad.

According to a statement made by KiTigsford Smith in Christehureli, the airmen think it quite possible that they vil] be kept waiting at Blenheim from day to day. for good weather, just as they were at Richmond. When the flight to Blenheim i= made at least one Now Zealand Air Force machine will accompany the Southern Cross. The DILX* may possibly be taken. Most Enthusiastic Aero Club. The airmen arc ■very pleased with the Blenheim aerodrome. "They have prepard for us one of the bert take-oIT runways we have ever seen anywhere," said Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, in an interview in Christchurch. '"It measures 6000 feet of perfect surface one way and from 2000 feet to 3000 feet in other directions." "Of all the aero club people we have met in New Zealand." said the airman, "and we have met most of them, we think those at Blenheim are most to be commended for their enthusiasm and resource." Mention was made of the fact that Sir Charles Wakefield had [criven an Avro-Avion machine to Xew Zealand, and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm was asked what he considered would be the be«t use to which this gift machine iTiuld be put. "Well, while it is none of our business." he responded, '"the machine could be sent to v.o better place 'than the Aero Cljib in Blenheim/ 5 '