AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1930, Page 6

AVIATION

SMITH’S COMMENT

ON IUOI WRECK

(Australian Press Association.)

DARWIN, Oct. 20.

In the early stage of his flight to Australia, Smith saw the RlOl wreck, near Beauvais, and he passed over it. He desert «.l it as a heart-breaking sight, and added; “I never liked gasbags!”

THE RECORD

SMITH’S ATTITUDE.

DARWIN, Oct. 20

A numl>er of local people larewelled Smith and Matthews, both of whom bad excellent take-offs. Smith’s parting words were: “I do not care whether Hinkler beats my record. I will not make a yearly event of it.” SMITH’S SKILL. AUSTRALIAN PRESS LAUDATION. SYDNEY, Oct. 20. The Australian press pays warm tributes to the flights of Smith, Matthews and Hill. The “Evening News” suggests a knighthood for Smith. It refers to life achievement of circumnavigating the globe, whereby be has brobght high honoiy to Australia. The paper adds. “Other airmen are just as brave and as resourceful, but the potentialities of those are his achievements ” Colonel Brinsinead Controller of Civil Awiation, comments that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find fresh words of praise for Kings ford Smith. His action in turning hack to Atamboea on Saturday night, stamps him as pre-eminent. It was the most outstanding incident in his flight. A less highly-skilled pilot night have attempted to get through to Darwin that. day. KING’S CONGRATULATIONS TO SMITH. LONDON, Oc.t 19. A telegram has been dispatched from!: Sandringham requesting Lord Somers to convey the King’s congratulations to Wing Commander Kingsford Smith. Mrs Hill, interviewed, asked, the journalist to congratulate Kingsford Smith on his splendid flight.

LONDON PRESS EULOGIES

RECORD LIKELY TO STAND

LONDON, Oct. 1 19,

The newspapers give prominence to Wing-Commander Kingston! Smith’s record. Majdr Turner, in the “Daily Telegraph,” says:—“As a feat of endurance and of airmanship, this flight stands amongst the greatest in history. Neither he nor Hill was in best of health when they started, but determination has carried them through. Kingsford Smith, apart from the fact that his machine was the faster, was the (better fitted by experience for such an undertaking. His great achievement may not be repeated for a long time, lmt it brings closer a regular air mail service to Australia. The obstacles are formidable. Unless the set vice would he meiely a shortseason affair, the tropical conditions present structural and other problem 1 ’that have not yet teen (jompfately solved.”

N. ZCONGRATULATIONS

Oct. 20.

The Governor-Genera,l. Lord Bledisloe, has sent the following message to the Acting-Governor-Gcneral of Austria ia, for communication to Kingfiford Smith: —“New Zealand congratulates you most warmly on your latest triumph, completing a. series of memorable achievements. —Bledisloe, Gov-ernor-General.”

ARRIVAL AT CLONCURRY

AFTER LONG JOURNEY

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) CLONCURRY, Oct 20

Kingsford Smith arrived in darkness at 7.15, two hours overdue. The headlights of a hundred ears flooded the aerodrome. Southern Cross Junior made a perfect landing and received a rousing welcome.

Smithy said he had encountered strong head winds for the whole 907 miles from Darwin, the trip occupying 12t} hours. He lmcl dropped in at a small store in Northern Territory for a packet of cigarettes. Ho was the guest of the Shire Council at dinner to-night. He was to leave for Brisbane at 'daylight and hopes to reach there at 6 p.m.

PETROL CAPACITY

this (Jay at 8 a.m.)

DARWIN, Oct. 20.

Smithy’s Avro-Avian hap a petrol .capacity of 113 gallons and a , flying range of seventeen hundred miles. He stated that the petrol consumption average only 6| gallons per hour for the whole flight. His main difficulty en route was fighting the desire to fall asleep. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES DARWIN, Oct. 20. One of the first messages of congratulation opened on arrival in Australia was from Hinkler. Another was from the Diggers of Parramatta, —“ls he any good.” Another was from a former actress Nellie Stewart—“T knew you would do my wonder man.”

WANTS A REST,

(Received this day at 8 a.m.)

DARWIN, Oct, 20.

Smithy sent a message forward appealing to Brisbane and Sydney people to refrain from fuss or functions, as he lie was greatly in need of a complete rest.

MATTHEWS "UNREPORTED

SYDNEY, Oct. 20. Captain Matthews is unreported from Dalv Waters for which place he left Darwin yesterday ifioriiing. It was only about a five hour fly. MATTHEWS ARRIVES. (Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 21. Capt. Matthews arrived at Daly Waters at mid-dav yesterday, and proceeded to Camooweal.