AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

(United Service.)

THE AVIATOR’S HOPES,

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m)

SUVA, June 7

The morning broke rainy, but it is now fine and clear, with a light northerly wind. The aviators anticipate no difficulty in the hop off and expect to rise like a bird. All are optimistic regarding the flight. Commander Fenton accompanies them from Suva to Nasclai as I heir guest.

The Pioneer left for Naselai with petrol and necessary gear. AA’hen the ’plane was coming to Suva, crossing the island of Taveuni in the Fiji grofip, in the north-east of Suva, the aviators saw a gathering of Fijians seated on the ground and when they saw the huge bird in the aii, they were evidently frightened, ami thinking the devil was appearing made for the bush.

One hundred and fifty feet of om-ma film was taken of the landing at Su.a.

A CIVIC RECEPTION.

FLAPS STORY

(Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) SUVA, June 7

For tlio civic- reception at the Town Hall, Smith was absent inspecting: Naselai Sands, 16 miles distant by water. ’ The aviators were welcomed by Cork (Mayor) and Ulm replied, using Smith’s stock opening remark of the difference between an aviator and a parrot. The parrot could talk but not fly, and the aviator could fly and not talk. He thanked them for the wonderful reception, the first since they had started. He was not used to it yet. They had been criticised at all points. Others had gone out and l>een drowned. AVe believe the equipment personnel was not good. Wo had the finest equipment that ever started over the water. They had had a partial success, but were unfinished yet. The original plans were for an all Australian crew, Smith and himself Australians and the others New Zealanders, but they could not keep them and whilst waiting the filial arrangements they went back. Finally we were in a had way and then went to Capt. MacMillan (head of the Hydrographic Department of San Francisco) and told him wo wanted a navigator to find the wav. Ho said he had two or three to look over. He looked them over and said they were not good enough in his opinion. Then he phoned that he had got a. wild man down here, just the man for you. Come down, T want to tell you a few things about him. We went down and met Capt. Henry Lyons, my good friend, dm here mentioned that MacMillan was considered America’s highest authority on navigation. His Irecoinmendajtion was accepted anywhere.

Continuing, Ulm said MacMillan introduced Lyons saying that this 1-J.nrr-has lots of faults, 2 or 3 teeth are missing, but he is a good navigator. Wc met Harry and summed him up. He has a humorous sense and lives on the job ho takes up. dm here made a point that the recent flight was “the longest non stop flight over water ever made.” If ho ever made another long non stop flight, please* God they will look for Lyons to lead the way. They were fixed up with the navigator and wanted a rndioer man who would push the key whilst the engines were roaring, and none used to' sitting at home. Ten or twelve were examined -and they had three or four under examination when a telephone call from Lyon stated ho had a shipmate, Warner, with him. "Wc told him it was best to bring him along. Wo never believed Harry in anything he said. AVe met Jim Warner at dinner four nights before we left on tbo flight, questioned and engaged him. Jim had a long meritorious service in the U.K, Navy and with the Allies in tiro, war. AW were- satisfied -the old sea dog could find bis way and that Warner could toll if wc came down where to find us. AA’e made a radio test next <ftiy, the first time bo had been for a flight. AVe bad a test flight of 5 hours to Los Angeles and C back, 11 hours’ experience in the air. That was all AVarner bad before the main flight. AA’e- would have been very cold meat but for .Tim.' Imagine 660 horse newer motors in a plane’s small cabin and the deafening roar of the motors, trying to send and receive radio messages, 100 pier efficient four to five thousand miles. Jim AVarncr possessed no mean skill and was full of courage in getting back the o-kl sea-

clog again. The night before Inst, in mid-Pncifir, the fates were not with us. We struck had weather on the job, which indicated the direction taken. The wild flying was getting to a stage where we might just go mad, Smith, more skilled in dodging storm clouds, was turning at right angles, when flying 100 miles hour. The navigator’s skill, resource and initiative was shown when after nil these quick movements throughout the night he could plot the position when we came out of a mess and say: “Here hoys, here’s where you are.” That they came through was not luck. Oct the right men and equipment, co-ordinate them, and you will get through with the co-operation of the public. They were looking for a site to take off and they sure would find one. He felt certain that if they did not find one they would make one. His good friends had offered to provide a few hundred men to make it good enough. He appreciated their enthusiasm and hoped the liop would lead to a regular air service between America and Australia, and hind these nations more closely. (Prolonged applause). Lyons said he had never made a speech in his life. I had to navigate. If I hadn’t found Suva where would I have been. I have had such a good time in this world I want to carry

on. 4 Warner expressed gratitude at Suva’s welcome reception that afternoon. Lieut. W 1 is, 0.8. E., Flying Officer of War, and Governor aiid Bishops were present. AIRMEN ENTERTAINED. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SUVA, June G. Smith has returned from Kaxelai. He reports there are sands three miles 'long, equal to the best runway in the world. The Government yacht pioneer leaves Suva at 7.30 a.m. tomorrow with £OO gallons of petrol a.ul a supply of lubricating oil and parts, Naselai-wards. The aviators hop off the Excellent Park at 10.45 a.m. Naselni-ward in ballast and hope to leave Naselai at >p.m. and arrive at Brisbane at davl.ght on Friday. The ball in the Grand Pacific Hotel was a brilliant success. The Governor was present. A presentation from colonists of 200 sovereigns, in a Tip made tortoise shell cask and also a tortoise shell badge, gold inlaid, was made by Mrs Levy. Two young ladies presented floral tributes of 10 Stars and Stripes to Lyon and Warner and an Australian flag with red ixona and south stars eucharist lilies for the Australians. There were the usual congratulatory speeches from Marconi, and the airmen officially announced Lyon and Warner would accompany the flight to Brisbane. SUVA, June 6.

A feature of to-njglifs ball -was {he Fijian' Chiefwelcome, Rntujoni

Mataiteni, one of the leading Chieftains, presented a whale’s tooth to Smith and others. This is the greatest welcome ceremony that can he given by Fijians to high chiefs or officials. The party were preceded by two natives in war dress carrying war spears. The aviators were chaired through the hall lliy enthusiastic resident^.

SMITH LEAVES SUVA. SU\ T A, June 7

The plane left Suva for Nasclai at 11.4 this morning. It took off beautifully and bad a great send off from a largo crowd of all classes of people including the Mayor. Smith and Ulm left with the plane, and Lyon and AVarner will join at Nasclai. Not even condensed water was taken aboard here. The machine taxied about four hundred yards and lifted over A ictoria- Parade at about two hundred feet altitude. It proceeded seaward, circled twice with perfect turns and after the third circle steered for Naselai. “Good-live nil,” cried Smith as they left. This morning Smith visited the, boys’ grammar school and addressed the boys who were highly delighted and cheered him.

THU TAKE OFF. SUVA. June 7

The Southern Cross takes off at 11.30 p.m. from Albert Park with the four aviators, and the local men Ellis and Josko. It reaches Naselai sands in twenty minutes. Low tide at Naselai is at 3.18 p.m., and the take oil" depends upon the completion of the fuel arrangements. Tt will probably -be 4 p.m. The Pioneer left Suva at 7.40 a.m. with twenty drums, containing 800 gallons of petrol, which -she is now landing. The plane will probably take eighteen drums. The airmen expect to arrive at Brisbane in eighteen hours, probably at noon on Friday. All weather icportb are favourable. The wind at Naselai sands is east-north-east, north-east, four miles an hour. The plane is taking letters from tbo Governor of Fiji, the. Mayor of Suva and copies of the I'iji “limes and “Herald” describing the flight. SUVA, June 7. The ’plane before it was able to land at Naselai returned and encircled Sura. It finally landed at noon. The delay was caused by the tide.

NO TRACE OF ITALIA. LONDON, June 6.

King’s Bay reports state the Hobby arrived at Liefde Pay and explored between Amsterdam Island and A ijde Bav and found no trace of the Italia.

ITALIA SEARCH FAILURE. OSLO, June 6. The first flight search for the Italia was fruitless. The steamer Braganza searched and found nothing. There is no confirmation of the Russian reports of receipt of the Italia’s wireless signals.