WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1928, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE TASMAN FLIGHT. AURA KG EM.ENTS CRITICISED. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Jan. 12. Wellington, after the event, is very angry with itself and with the world at large for having allowed the heroes of the Sydney-New Zealand Might to attempt the passage across the Tasman Sea without more ample precautions for their safety. Everyone, except the aviators themselves, is being blamed for what lias happened, and even the critics arc regretting their earlier silence. The Prime .Minister is, ol course, involved. Mr Coates is at present making holiday at his home in the Far North, but with his accustomed candour, which so often has disarmed criticism, he states through the newspapers this morning that " a few weeks ago ” he had discussed the hazardous undertaking with the two daring spirits and had told them he thought they were “ ill-prepared.” Then why. the critics are asking, did the Prime Minister persuade the Australian authorities to witdraw the embargo they had placed upon the adventure? The Australian authorities, they insist, with some reason, were in a better position to determine a matter of this kind than anyone in New Zealand could be. and Mr Coates could not divest himself of responsibility Instating that the pioneers would seek immortality at their own risk.

INADEQUATE ATI R ANGEMENTS. Then there are complaints that the arrangements made at this end for the guidance and landing of the aviators were by no means adequate. The railway authorities and the bus proprietors made, satisfactory arrangements for conveying spectators to Trent-ham racecourse to see the arrival of the plane. The Wellington Racing Club put itself to no end of trouble in providing accommodation for the ten or twelve thousand spectators that flocked to the course, and to some expense in looking after its own property; but the arrangements for the landing of the aviators. as far as the casual visitor could judge, were far from complete. Apparently it had been taken for granted that the plant would arrive in daylight and that without any direction or special facilities the voyagers would drop down at some spot convenient to the photographers and official spectators." When darkness began to approach, preparations were made for Hares to he placed here and there and motor eai lights were requisitioned and cheerfully provided. Tint after nine o’clock, so the experts say. it would have been impracticable for the plane to have landed at Trentham, with its numerous buildings, fences, and other obstructions.

THE OTIIFR SIDE. A paragraph in the “Dominion ’ this morning challenges this criticism so Inins the night landing arrangements are concerned. "In certain quarters,” the writer says. “ there has been critirism of the arrangements for an niter-dark landing at Trentham that is not justified by the facts. .Major Wilkes. Director of Aviation, who was in charge. had with commendable foresight provided for this possibility. Mis staff had prepared a large number of petrol flares which were in readiness long before the aviators were due. Darkness came* on soon after 9 o’clock, hut nothing had been hoard from the plane since the last automatic signal was received at 5.‘32 p.m. It was not until well after 10 p.m. that the first report that from the lightkeeper at Stephen Island—that an aeroplane had been sighted was received at Trentham. This was immediately followed by the Foxton and Pnekakariki reports, and Major Wilkes went to infinite trouble to trv to secure some confirmation or amplification of the reports ill order to have something definite to work upon. This statement does not cover tlm whole ground of the impeachment, hut while there is a possibility of bettor news it may be allowed to stand.