AIR FLYING.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 December 1919, Page 3

AIR FLYING.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) BRITISH CONGRATULATIONS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, December 10. The news of Ross-Smifih’s arrival created the keenest interest. The newspapers warmly tribute the wonderful feat of endurance and skill. Ministers sharing in the public, followed the final stages of the flight, and are sending congratulations ' ' through official channels. . The Australian Press Association interviewed General Sykes, director of civilian aviation. He said that from the view point of performance it was a brilliant and wonderful one and would live in the history of aviation. It was intensely satisfactory to know the flight had been accomplished by an Australian crew on a British machine equipped with British engines and assisted by British organisation. Although faced wt-h bad,weather, northing seriously impeded the remarkable progress. - ' Tbpmas iHolt, contractor of- the London to Paris mall! service told the Australian, press that he regarded the flight as one of the finest aviation exploits on record, reflecting the grea est credit on the pilot, crew, plane, | and engines designers. It was a magnificent performance and demonstrates that by flying relays aerial services w’lll soon become practicable throughout the world, GENERAL SYKES EULOGY. (Received this day at 8 a.m.i LONDON, December 10. General Sykes in reference to the flight added that in order to view the feat in its true perspective it is necessary to regard it as a great pioneer undertaking. It is part of the spade work of which much remains to be done, before the dream of imperial air routes can be realised. No one, more than -Ross Smith, will appreciate that a large measure of his success is due to the ground work undertaken before, and during the flight, such as arranging landing grounds, meteorological reports and facilities for crossing foreign countries. It is by the improvement of these arrangements that we look forward fo the development of imperial air routes. No doubt each Dominion will forge its own dink in this invisible imperial chain to suit its own requirements. Doubtless flyng boats wifl he suitable in some places and aeroplanes in others. Smith’s' achievement is greatly helpful. It will show where the gaps in meteorological and other information occur and teach ns something of air currents, of which we are at present ignorant. Although the fl.ght offers q wonderful endurance test, the future of long distance flights lies in the re lav system. We must not yet expect to establish a weekiy service with Australia. The Commonwealth Government deserves credit for the initiation and promotion of the contest In bringing together the two ends o the Empire and the Dutch Government has shown the great value of International co-operation in East Indies. A - miration for Ross-Smith does not deter one from expressing appreciation o Ponlet’s wonderfully plucky effort. appreciation. NEW YORK, December 10. _ The New York “Times” says editorially that Ross-Smith has done a wonderful thing for the prestige of the British Empire. He must be haded ai He foremost living aviator, for he neve, blundered or faltered -