FLYING THE TASMAN

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1925, Page 4

FLYING THE TASMAN

NEW ZEALANDER'S PROJECT. GOVERNMENT GIVES APPROVAL AND A SEIiSIDV OK MOO. WKI.I.INCTOX, January (i. Considerable interest in what is likely to be the next trans-oeeanie Might is being taken on the other side el the Tasman, whether it is likely to be between New Zealand and Australia or the I'nited State-, and Australia. Yesterday there missed through Wellington on bis way to Cln islrhlireh Mr I! .1. Wilson, ol Auckland, who hopes to secure support, in the South Island for ill.; proposed Might- by three New Zealanders from Sydney io Auckland. a trin ol about, 1100 miles, 'I hose who will take part in the Might are M.r George It. Poll, of Auckland, chief instructor and chief pilot of the Auckland Kl\ iug Sclmol al l\obimal ama for the pa-.i seven year- : Mr 11. .\>usle> P, m < ket l. cliicl i.fli. i-i- .J flic I mini Cuinpaiiy’s Kaiapoi, navigator; and Mr ||. J. Wilson. Auckland, observer. XESTPAEIAXS HESITATE.

Mr Wilson, who has been interested in the project since l!)20. has twice endeavoured to get the approval and support of the Government to the Might, link without success. Lord Jellicoe. while Governor-General, wrote to Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field when the Hood was at Sydney, stating that it was honed to attempt the Might while the squadron was crossing the Tasman, but the Australian Hoard would not approve ol the flight and it was postponed. Mr Wilson went to Sydney to negotiate with Lieutenant Rriggs. the famous Australian pilot, but the Australian Government withheld approval, considering that a land machine was not sale enough to at-ti-mot a sea Might ol over IPOO miles. government approves.

\t tin' end nf the lest session of the New Zealand Pit ilia mom hr V. !!. Potter M.!’.. for Uoskill, urged that (he Governnieii t should give Kiipjmrt to the proposed flight anil (iihinot. ;ift('!" considering the mat ter lor the third time, wrote to Mr "Wilson slating that: the OovernmonL had •'decided ill" that it had "decided (1) to t oeogidse and approve oi a trans-Tasman flight beiit" undertaken by New Zealanders to "rant a subsidy not cxceedino L'dOO: and (•'!) that there should" bo no liability or obligation by Iho Government to buy the machine aider the flight. . . The Covernnient approval and subsidy are subject to all i ndomtiit v signed by the etew to protest the (lover in ease ol X,, ibc Ci\hl\wt's division to nise and pprove of the trans-Tasman tlbdit if underlaheii Ity New Zealanders it is added that those interested have the good wishes ..f the government lor the sueeess of the untie,tak- \ boat ska plank. Mr Wilson then got into toueli with \'ieket's Ltd.. Knghind. and also m New Zealand, and a satisfactory price Itas been c,noted for a \ n kers \ "Ituie" boat seaplane, wltielt is guaranteed to do a journey of UMO miles, ami up to lWk) miles in favourable niiinstniu’os. siiul is eqiiipiv* '' l wireless and the most uioderit navigating instruments. It is hoped shortly to secure sullieicnt sunport in New Zealand to pmchase the tnaehiue so that the log.tt can he made from Sydney to Auckland this year. It will be started from Svdttey. owing to the prevailing winds being more favourable. Weather records for the last 10 years have been taken, and ships’ with 30 years’ experience of the Tasman have been consulted.