AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1928, Page 1

AVIATION

i FLIGHT POSTPONED. I I A NIGHT SPENT AT HAWERA. (Bv Telegraph—Bor Press Association.) HAWERA, September 18. Commander Kingsford Smith’s flight was to have been resumed at 2 o’clock this afternoon, hut, oil account o'f unfavourable weather reports being received from the north, it was decided to postpone tho flight. A start will now probably bo made at daybreak to-morrow for Auckland. * HAWERA’S WELCOME. HAWERA, September 18. A concourse of spectators estimated at 10,000, drawn from all parts of Taranaki, accorded an inspiring ovation to tile famous crew of the Southern Cross, when they landed at Hawera Racecourse at 12.20 this afternoon. The landing marked the completion of the. third stage of the air journey from Christchurch to Auckland in three Bristol fighters, to-day’s trip from Wellington having taken two hours ten minutes against a stiff nor’-wester. The flight was to have been resumed at 2 o’clock, but owing to the threat Of bad weather, which later materialised in a thunder and rain storm from the north, the departure was postponed until to-mor-row morning.

Captain Findlay, of the New Zealand Air Force, with Navigator Litchfield as passenger, led the other planes to'the landing ground. Kingsford Smith, with Ulm in the rear cockpit, planed down a minute later, followed at a similar interval by Captain . Buckley of the New Zealand Air Force, with McWilliams as passenger. The successful lauding of all tlireo was completed within two minutes. As the machines taxied to the refilling point, a big portion of the crowd rushed across the enclosure yelling greetings to “Smithy.” Tumultuous cheering marked the passage of the aviators in ears along the straight to the grandstand, where a civic reception was accorded.

Welcoming the airmen, the Mayor Air E. A. Paeey, expressed the pride and admiration felt by the Taranaki people in common with the rest of New Zealand in tho great achievements of the Southern Cross.

Deafening crescendos from the crowd greeted Kingsford Smith, who smilingly flung compliments during his reply, and expressed thanks for the overwhelming reception which, ho said, was accorded with the cordial spirit experienced in other centres, since their arrival in New Zealand. Ulm and Litchfield also voiced their acknowledgements, whilst Smith apologised for the absence of McWilliams, who had “ been lost in the crowd,” and failed to reach the dais. A spectacular feature of the reception was a haka rendered by 20 Maori braves, naked to the waist, and wearing little elso than head adornments of flax painted designs and puis-puis dangling from the waist to the knees. The liaka was followed by a welcome voiced fluently on behalf of the Maori people by Rev. R. T. Hnddon, a direct descendant of Turi, the captain of the canoe, A-o-tea, viz:—“You are the men who have blazed the trail across the clmrtless skies. We are the children of men who blazed a trail across the chartless ocean over a thousand years ago. Therefore we welcome you, and wish that you may always be prosperous,” said Rev. Hnddon. He concluded by draping a presentation pui-pui over the slioulder of Kingsford Smith. Fifty representatives of local bodies throughout the province assembled at tlie luncheon given the aviators, when the toasts, “Our Guests,” and “ Air Force,” were sponsored respectively, by the Mayor and Mr E. Dixon (President of the Chamber of Commerce).

Kingsford Smith and Litchfield gave responses, the former commending Hawera on its possession of a good land-ing-place for planes. Earlier in the ceremony, Mrs A. 11lingsworth, of Alton, a sister of the late Captain Hood, was presented to the party. Interviewed this evening, Captain Findlay said that, weather permitting the planes would leave at six in the morning. It was expected they would reach Auckland about 8.30 p.m. WELLINGTON AERO CLUB. WELLINGTON, September 18. At a meeting to-day, attended by about one hundred people, and presided over bv the Mayor, Mr G. A. Troup, it. was' decided to form a Wellington Aero Club. Details are to be arranged by a committee set up to bring down a report. The locality of the Club is Lvall Bay.

AIRMEN’S THANKS TO PUBLIC. WELLINGTON, September 18. Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm to-day stat ed they desired for themselves and or behalf of their colleagues, Litchfield and McWilliams, to publicly thank the people of New Zealand for the magnificent welcome extended them.

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, September 19. The airmen made a perfect landing at 9.21 a.m., in ideal conditions. Civic reception at noon. THE NEW AIR SHIP. LONDON, September 18.

The Daily Telegraph’s aviation export describes a flight from Southlvampton to Croydon in the Spanish Inventor Dclacie-Riva-s- new windmill nutorgrio. The expert says:—“This machine hears neither a family nor a suedes relationship to the aeroplane, t tie airship, or the balloon. The machine is a vast improvement on the 1925 auto-giro. One feels that it is safe, and this adds to the enjoyment of the flying. It has four propellor--1 ibe blades, rotating on an almost vertical mast, The. machine can take off after ono minute of a preliminary spill. The slowness of this spin will later be rectified by increasing power in the starting gear. The windmill takes care of itself in the air, thus leaving the pilot free to concentrate on the course and the engine. The machine landed at Croydon slowly and vertically without a jar and without moving more than a. couple of yards. The (light to Croydon was made at a speed of 110 miles an hour. The machine will probably he able to land on the deck of an ordinary stoam-