SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

ARRIVAL AT SYDNEY.

~ (Australian Press Association) v , r • (United Service).

The Southern Cross and her crew presented a changed appearance when they, landed at Richmond yesterday. The machine and the men were bearing evidence or the hazards and hardships to which they had been exposed during the month since they started their flight for England. “How .are you going. Smithy?’’ shouted someone above the general clamour of welcoming friends. “We arc just a boll t going 1” replied Kingston! Smith.

Drawn faces, with new lines graven thereon, tell more clearly than words bow the four men suffered during their adventiji;e.. The reunion of the families was invested with a graver and more touching character than any of the previous returns.

“We have had a pretty rough spin.” said Smith, adding that all felt numb. That was understandable, ns the day, though fine, was bitterly cold on the ground, and it must have been freezing aloft.

All of the crew are still feeling the effects of their experience, and they cannot stand the strain of continued

effort,

Though the Southern Cross looks shipshape to the ordinary observer, critical eyes soon discover many things needing an overhaul. .Smith hopes, however, that, her reconditioning will not-take long, so that they can make a fresh ’start on the flight to England.

CANBERRA REACHES SYDNEY

HOLDEN’S VIEWS

SYDNEY, April 28

Captain Holden of the air liner Canberra is of the opinion that Hitchcock’s laxly will not. be found near the Kookaburra.

Referring to the Southern Cross, Captain Holden said he believed that most of the search planes flew too high, so that While their field of vision was widened, the objects on the ground became indistinct.

The Canberra’s crew looked fit on their arrival at Mascot, but they had felt the strain.