TASMAN FLYERS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1928, Page 6

TASMAN FLYERS

WAITING FOR DR. HUDSON'S REPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association). BLENHEIM, Sept. 30. Up to a late hoiur on Saturday afternoon, the people were on the qui vive, following an announcement that the Southern Cross would hop off back across the Tasman Sea at 4.45 o’clock on Sunday -morning. , A. very large crowd was gathered in Blenheim for all parts of the Dominion, and all day on Saturday -and to-day a ceaseless stream of people found their way to the aerodrome, where the big monoplane housed. Tucked under the wing is a Bristol, fighter plane. They are like an old hen and its chick. The egmera fiends were busy, and, under the very fine arrangements made by the Aero Club Officials close up views could he had of the big machine without any danger of interference. In the afternoon of Saturday, Sim if! and Ulm made a final overhaul of the Southern Gross, and replaced propellors. The tanks were filled, and everything was in readiness for the grewadventure. Late in the afternoon, the weather report was pessimistic, .and, on its being amplified later, Ulm announced officially that owing to a had weather outlook in the Tasman, the flight, as scheduled, would not take place. This proved a great disappointment to. the crowds of vi si tons.

To-day’s weather report gave no better promise, and the fliers therefore announced ther was no prospect of their leaving on Monday morning. However the plane is ready, and the men are ready to hop off when Dr Kidson “fires the pistol.” During the week-end Smith and Ulm were presented each with a Maori mat by the Marlborough Maoris. The Aero Club gave each of the four fliers an inscribed gold Cigarette ca-se. Mr George Edwards of Auckland, and at one time of Blenheim, sent a fine floor rug, made by himself, for the floor of the monoplane’s cabin, the central design l>6ing a. kiwi, symbolic of the Dominion Aero Clubs.

Miss 'Smith, furrier, of Wellington? sent each, flier a fur waistcoat to keep them warm on the trip- back. Mr H. Lloyd, of Welington, sent four greenstone tikis. Messrs Fairhall Brothers, the owners of the flying presented an enlarged photograph of the field ir harvest time to the fliers.

PREPARATIONS ON NEW 1 SOUTH WALES COAST. SYDNEY, Sept. 29. Captain Chateau is co-operating with the naval and military authorities for use of searchlights at Syd H l '"' Newcastle, and Jervis Bay, as a guide for the Tasman fliers. A code will-he arranged to- indicate to. the flyers which light they sight. The Minister of Defence has given instructions , that, every possible cooperation should be given. Special arrangements have already been made for flood lights at Richmond.