TASMAN FLYERS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1928, Page 6

TASMAN FLYERS

Trial flight to-day. MAY START FRIDAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association). BLENHEIM, October 2. Smith, Ulm, Findlay and Buckley made a fishing foursome in the Sounds to-day. They had good sport and returned to Blenheim. They met Air Marshal Sir John Salmond, SquadronLeader Drummond and Major Wilkes on then- arrival. The latter party were informally welcomed by. the Mayor and officials oi tile Aero Club, and later proceeded to the Southern Cross aerodrome, where exhaustive tests were carried out by Smith, and Ulm of a big searchlight, with which it is proposed to enable the Southern Cross to get away a couple of hours before dawn, when Dr Kidson gives the word. , If. tiie weather is clear at dawn tomorrow, the Southern Cross will make a test flight in order to enable Navigator Litchfield to,take solar observations in connection with the compasses. Sir John Salmond will take Ulm’s place in the cockpit with Smith. On the present weather outlook, it is more than' likely that the flyers will not get away before Friday. To-morrow Sir John Salmond inspects the Blenheim aerodrome and the Southern Cross field. Later he w ill motor to Nelson to catch the boat for Wellington. THE ADVERSE WEATHER. WELLINGTON, October 2, Dr Kidson advises that there is an intense depression covering the Tasman. Disturbed conditions are indicated by a wireless report from Waiotapu at 9 a.m. in latitude 40 south, longtitude 103 east. When. the . aviators rang Dr Kidson at twelve-thirty, he gave the following reply : “ Conditions are still stormy in the Tasman, with strong north to north-west winds. No start will he possible to-morrow. Cannot judge ioi further possibilities until the remainder of the Australian reports are, received, but . yesterday’s reports were not unfavorable to the development of fair conditions in a few days.”

AIRMEN . VISfIT CHRISTCHURCH. , .... BLENHEIM, October 3. . Captains Buckley and Findlay, with Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and, Flight-Lieutenant Ulm and Mrs Palmer- of ChrifetfcKurch;, left for Gh.ristohui'chi.'in- F-Bristol spd morning. They expect-to return to-day.