Fliers Leave

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1928, Page 5

Fliers Leave

STARTED AT 4.53 a.m. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association). BLENHEIM, Oct. 13. The Southern Cross took off at 4.55 o’clock this morning. She rose slowly after a 300 yd. run, circled round Blenheim and then sailed off to pick up the Straits. SUR PR ISE EX PR ESSED. WELLINGTON, October 13. It was with considerable surprise that the announcement- was heard here that the aviators had actually left, for a heavy and blustering northerly, almost of gale force, was blowing in Wellington. Rain is threatening and it appears likely to become worse instead of better. PROGRESS REPORTS. WELLINGTON, October 13. The Secretary of the General Post Office lias received the following message concerning the flight of the Southern Cross “ Southern Cross hopped for Sydney at 4.54 a.m.” 5.30 (New Zealand mean time) be,ris \t 0.7 a.m. picked up Southern Cross and exchanged signals. 5.23 a.m. —Still working. Plane is in wireless communication both ways. Plane working excellently.

5.30 a.m.—Plane attempting to communicate with radio, Sydney. Sydney reports short-wave signals swinging badly and having difficulty to hold his signals. 5.46 a.m.—Plane taking bearings. Radio key locked. 6.13 a.m.—The Southern Cross position at 6 a.m. (New Zealand time) is : Latitude 40.44 south ; longtitude 174.00 east. Setting course' for 30.9 degrees. True speed 49 knots. 7 a.m.—Still in two-way communication with Southern Cross. All well.

7.10 a.m.—Southern Cross asking what ship is that below? At 7.30 plane reports all well. Nothing to transmit. WELLINGTON, October 13. f The Post Office advises :—At 8.30 the Southern Cross reports all well and doing fifty knots; altitude 500 feet. 9 a.m.—Our position is: Latitude 39.13 south; longtitude 171.24 east. Altitude 600 feet; speed 55 knots; course 309 degrees. COPYRIGHT REPORT. FROM SOUTHERN CROSS. (Special to Press Association.) WELLINGTON, ’October 13. Prom Southern Cross at 6.10 a.m.— Many bumps through the straits. True course 309 degrees, against strong head winds; altitude .500 feet; air speed 79 knots. Sky overcast but seems to be improving. Still bumpy, ; and much cloud above, with slight rain. Leaving last of .South Island on port beam. * Heavy seas below. If present strength of head wind lasts more, than six hours will return to Blenheim.

8.20 a.m.—Have been in sun and wind storm for last hour at altitude of under 500 feet. Sky very overcast, visibility nil*' Thick fain in cockpit. ' Weather rotten, strong north to north-east wind. Gloves wet through and hands very cold. LATEST REPORT. WELLINGTON. Oct. 13. The Post Office advises; “The Southern Cross dost our signals after two and a half hours out. The plane signals were very strong. We have now established two-way communication, through the s.s. Malieno. The plane reports 'all we 11.,” At 11 o’clock: — A late' advce stated the plane was then 210 miles from Cape Egmont in a direct line for Sydney and 65 miles north of the Wellington-Sydney route and 900 miles* from Sydney.