AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

TASMAN" FLIGHT. THE N.Z. ITINERAPJ. visrrs to the main centres (By Tolegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 12. Avrnngements were completed this afternoon by Kings ford Smith and Ulm for the itinerary of tlie airmen's, tour of New Zealand. It was definitely do-

■ eided tliat ,tho Southern Cross would not bo taken on tour, but tho airmen < have accepted the Government’s offer of use of three aeroplanes. Tho fliers have expressed a desire to see the four main centres, in addi-

terested in aeronautics. The airmen are particularly keen to boost aviation, and that is tho reason why they will spend a night in Blenheim during

their northern tour, ns an Acfo Club has recently been formed there. They propose to leave Christchurch on Friday next about 3 p.m. and to travel to Blenheim, where they Wall spend the night. Tho following morning they will arrive at Trcntham, approximately at 10.30 o’clock, and will spend Sunday and Monday in Wellington, and on Tuosday they will take their departure for Auckland, whero they are arriving in the afternoon. Wednesday will be spent'in Auckland, and on Thursday they will leave for Rotorua.

The flyers will return to Auckland on Saturday, September 22nd. The following day they will leave Auckland and will arrive back at Sockburn on Monday, Sept. 24th. It is anticipated that tho party on tion to any other centre that is inits return from the northern tour, will take the opportunity during the ensuing week of flying to Dunedin, and if possible to Invercargill.

A DAYLIGHT FLIGHT. CHRISTOHURICH, Sept. 12. The Southern Cross airmen propose to take their departure for Sydney on Sundny, September 30th., which day Navigator Litchfield indicates is best, as tho moon will then be at the full. Captain Findlay and Captain Buckley will act as their escorts on the tour of New Zealand. It will probably bo arranged for Smith and Him to occupy one plane, and Findlay and Litchfield the second, and Buckley and McWilliams the third. With reference to the return flight across the Tasman, after consideration by the party to-day,jit was announced that it probably will bo made in the daylight. Smith stated that even if they did not land in daylight at Richmond .Aerodrome, ho had every confidence, that the facilities there would enable him to make a .night landing.

COURTESY CABLE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 13. The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth has replied to Mr Coates’ telegram in reference to' the flight as follows:—“On behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth I thank you for your cable.grams. Australians arc justifiably proud of Kihgsford Smith and his companions and with you we view with satisfaction the fact that a New Zealander was associated with the flight. I trust this practical contribution to 'the science of practical aviation will inaugurate a new era in the means of communication between our two Dominions.” K.INGSFORD SMITH AT SCHOOL. CHRISTCHURCH, September 13. Eight hundred cheered Ivingsford Smith frantically this morning when he 'visited Sydenham School and gave a brief-address, beginning: I’m a bit of a boy myself,” and invited tho pupils to make an inspection of the Southern Cross. The children presented Smith with a bouquet of flowers and a tiki. ’ ■

RETURNED SOLDIERS ENTERTAIN AIRMEN. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 13. All the members of the crew of the Southern Cross are ex-servicemen, the navy, army and- air force being represented, and their'intense popularity with the New. Zealand Returned Soldiers was demonstrated by the enthusiasm that prevailed at the smoko concert given in their honour, by , the Christchurch Returned Soldiers Association. last night.

Squadron-Leader Kingsfcird Smith, replying to the welcome said: ‘Mr President, and fellow diggers.” It is a very proud moment in our lives tonight, believe mo (Applause), this is the first occasion that we have talked to .our own kith and kin, and I can tell you. we were proud of being diggers. He added that they were proud of the welcome Christchurch had giv--en them. They deprecated being ret

garded as heroes. “We were not heroes,” he remarked, “we are not of the hero type. The night before last when wo had a bit of trouble crossing the Tasman, I can assure you I had the wind up worse than I had'ever had when in France, and I had the wind up there a few times.” ; - “Smithy and I are Australians and

Hitch.—well he has got to admit that ' 1 16 is an Australian too,” said FlightLieutenant Ulm. He added:- Ihej had had two good men with them on the trip to Australia but they now had two equally good men and .without them could ‘not have got over tho Tasman the night before last or whenever it was. (Laughter). He did not regard himself as a hero. Ho was a hero when he landed on Gallipoli, but if it had not been for tho water behind him he would have been running yet. ’ (Renewed laughter).