AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

THE START FOR BLENHETAL

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

CHRISTCHURCH, September 14. Tlie fiiers left for Blenheim at 2.33 p.m. to-day in the face of a gusty north-east wind. The indications were that higher up the wind would bo north-west, and the flight would te slow and humpy. Tlie party consisted of Smith and UJm in one machine; Captain Buckley and Lichfield in the second; and Captain Findlay and AfeAATlliams in the third. Leaving their hotel for the aerodrome they pressed to their cor through crowds of cheering people and hundreds were at the aerodrome to witness the departure. There were other hundreds who were too late, because the party left half-an-hour earlier, owdug to the head wind. Before leaving to-day Captain Smith ; • said that if he and UJm went to England, it would not be by air. They not ambitious to fly the Atlantio, as others had shown that it could lie done. They had plans for other flights with the Southern Cross, but he declined to state where they would be. Smith and Ulm sent a cheque to-dav of ten guineas to the Secretary of the local funds for the widows of Afonericff and Hood.

MESSAGE TO’ PRIAIE AIINISTER. AVELINGTON, September 14. , Tlie Prime ALnister has received the y following messages from the aviators in reply to his telegrams of congratulation :

“AAV desire to thank you and the Government and citizens of Now Zealand for your telegram congratulating us. If our self-appointed task of demonstrating the safety and utility of long distance flights has met with success we are happy. Through us tho Prime Minister, Governor, and people of Austrlia send greetings, and we carry per mail a letter to you from Air Bruce, which wo will deliver in AVellington. AA’e gratefully thank yourself and the Government for tlie magnificent grant of £2OOO, and desire to assure you that such money will enable us to conduct further experimental flights, which wo are hopeful will be of value to Empire- aviation. Kingsford Smith and Ulm.”

“Aly sincere thanks to you, sir, and to tho people of New Zealand, for vour very kind message of welcome.— MeAA’illiams.” BLENHEIM AVELCOME." BLENHEIAf, September 14. Kings Ford Smith. Him; Litchfield and ' AlcAA’illianis accompanied hy Captains Finlay and Buckley, were , welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of) rS fire thousand when they landed at * Blenheim .'Municipal Airdrome' this » afternoon in three Bristol fighters in the first stage of what bids fair !obe a triumphal aerial tour of New the historic landing of the Southern Cross at AATgram were reproduced here on -a small scale. /The airmen were overwhelmed hy tho warm nature of the reception. After land-, ing at 4 36 the flyers were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor and Chairman of tho Marlborough County Council, also the President of the Marlborough Aero Club. Smith and Ulm, in the course of. j: .their 'replies, 'heartily ccngratuh.te'l Blenheim on its enterprise in forming an Aero Club, declaring that no.other town of its size in Australia- and New. Zealand had shown siich enreiprise, and they would he gliul if their visit had assisted the movement

Tin's evening the aerial visitors were the guests at a Alayoral dinner when lagain great enthusiasm was evidenced by a gathering represent-, ing all the local bodies and the provinee. High tributes were paid td»:, their courage in blazing the long air / trails across the Pacific and t.he Tas- y - man. Representations were made by / several local speakers that the airmen j; should take advantage of the excellent taking off facilities offered by at least two huge Hat paddocks near Blenheim. Al

In reply, Captain Smith expressed deep interest in the suggestion advanced stating the facilities offered lmd already been brought to his notice, and if a field could be found in Afarlborough to suit requirements, ho would seriously consider the possibility of leaving for the return over the Tasman from this area, Departure from Afarlhorough would reduce the journey by two hours, which in view of tho fact that they anticipated encountering /head winds' going back would he an important consideration. Ho most certainly would inspect the fields on the way back to Christchurch with a view of taking off from Ararlborough for Australia. After the function the flyers ’visited the picture theatre to witness the first screening of the films of the arrival in Christchurch.

One machine, in landing, damaged the tail skid, but it is expected to he repaired by the morning. PAHIATUA, September 14. The Chamber of Commerce has sent a request for the Southern Cross to look in or land here, ton its return from Auckland or on the other trip.

RETURN TRIP TO START FROM BLENHEIM. - _ BLKHXEIM, September 15. After inspecting the grounds sugges. ted by the Marlborough' Aero Club tin Tasman flyers decided definitely tlrs morning to make Blenheim their point of departure on their return trip to Australia and both Kingsford Smith and Ulm stated they had never seen ground so ideally situated for their purpose and-the Southern Cross will land here on September 28th and will takeoff at dawn on 30th September, subject of course'’to weather conditions being favourable. The planes left Blenheim at 10.12 for Wellington.

FLYING BOATS ARRIVE. WELTEVREDEN. Sept. 14. The Royal Air Force flying boats arrived at Bliujol.

NON-STOP FLIGHT FAILURE, '"ereived this lav at 9.30 a.m.V LOS ANGELES, September 14. Goebel, the only flier of the nine entrants finishing the, New York nonstop flight, has been disqualified because ho was forced to land in Arizona. No prize awards have been made. MISSING AIRMAN SAFE. LONDON, September 14.' Demougeot (cabled yesterday) was picked up twenty-eight miles southwest bf Scilly Isles, a vessel towing the aeroplane. The pilot and his companions are safe and sound. ], a ter, a British trawler landed the French airmen and mails at Newlyn, Cornwall. The aeroplane was lost.