The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1929. DARING AND DOING.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1929. DARING AND DOING.

Thk safe arrival at Home of the Southern Cross in record time, completes a mission which began so disastrously, first in the temporary loss of the airship and its crew, and then the loss of two lives seeking for the missing airship. The Southern Cross, after a period of delay caused by an enquiry provoked largely through newspaper jealousy and controversy, finally set out with very little honor. Indeed, great as was the mission accomplished, very little was said in their honor till the comp etion of the great journey. Accomplished it is, another example of the resource and capabilities of a wonderful flying team. The great feats the two leaders have 'accomplished are outstanding in aerial history. The Pacific flight was the greatest achievement because it was a pioneer effort over a very long distance. The trans-Tasman flight was also a pioneer trip, and undertaken with a reorganised team, but on the face of it, it did not present the exacting features of the greater journey from the United States to Australia in three memorapble hops. That indeed, was a pathfinding effort, picking up-successfully the small isles where they were to alight for fuel and brief rest. The New Zealand trip proved an exacting particularly on the return jour!ney because of the bad weather encountered, and it was in every way a notable achievement. Now the journey Home in less than thirteen days, presents a record established in the face of mechanical troubles and difficult weather conditions over some of the stages. What the Southern ,Cross has achieved is surely a great tribute to the stability of a well-made flying machine. The airship had to carry a heavy load, amt there are not facilities, everywhere for landing the machine, or for taking off. This is a handicap, hut the able flyors handle the maenine with wonderful success. It is a great achievement, not only to wing the way over such a vast distance, but’ to perform so accurately on the journey in so brief , a time. It speaks well for the skill of the navigator, and any loss of prestige by the unfortunate mishap. in northern Australia at the .first,setting out on the journey, is now made good, again very amply, Kingsford-jSmith and Ulm are the men,to darp and do. They are capable leaders, and if there are any any farther .aerial records to make for the dredit of the British race, they are the men to he set tile task. It is pleasing to find the men associated with them so closely identified with New Zealand. Their' presence and assistance on rue long flight reflects credit on this country, and pleasure will he felt that in the face of the difficulties and the drawbacks under which the start was made, that the great aerial trip has ended with further credit and renown for those participating in it. Tlie kudos they have earned is well deserved. They had to take great risks, but they have performed their part in a manner in keeping with" their great record as flying men of the Southern Cross, and there need he no reservation in the measure of. praise accorded them for the great success achieved. , .