KINGSFORD SMITH

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1930, Page 5

KINGSFORD SMITH

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right. J

NEW YORK, July 2

Kingston] Smith, after crossing Chicago City to visit the endurance plane “City of Chicago” which had just passed a record of 506 hours (three weeks) in the air, and nicer greeting the wearied fliers aboard witli a quick dip and a double circle, leturned from Sky Harbour escorted by a group of planes. The Southern Cross landed at |>.in. at the Curtis Airport be ewe a group of notables and officials.

CROSSING THE A LLEGHAN!ES

NLiV YORK, July 3

Wing Commander Kingsford Smith, continuing his own story of the flight, says: “There is not much to say about the trip ‘New York to Chicago.’ We are all sorry to leave New York without looking into more aviation activitie. There was a heavy log at the beginning of our trip. We saw little of Pennsylvania and the Alleghany mountain, hut enough to realise that the night mail fliers have a job. Clouds lay like blankets over the mountains. Now and again we got a glimpse of a farm, yellow with wheat Once wo came down, through trying to fly under the stuff, but it did not go. Ahead there was a ridge, 1 want ed to hop over it to get into the next valley, Still, under the clouds, it did not work. As th eold girl started to climb the ridge she slid into a down rl rift. The more she climbed the lower she sank. , We .banked around and started again. It was like a horse refusing to jump. By the air is certainly the way to visit Chicago. Wtlooked for the endurance plane. The Hunter family are certainly doing a bit for aviation. We pulled alongside and gave them ‘cheerio.’ One of the, bovs climbed out. She did not appear so badly off.”

MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT HOOVER

W ASHINGTON, July 2

President Hoover and other officials have received messages from Kingsford Smith and hs companions, thanking them for their welcome. The message to President Hoover stated: — “As ;we fly over the Alleghanies towards your own California, Mr President, in our gallant old Fokker, the Southern Cross may we take advantage of the radio which saved us in the fogs over the Grand Banks to excess our deep appreciation which we feel of the honour you have conferred upon us in receiving us at Washington? May we British, Irish, and Dutch —take this means of conveying to you our high regard and respect.’ .