TASMAN FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1932, Page 5

TASMAN FLIGHT

KINGSFORD SMITH

ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE.

(Per Press Association -- Copyright j

WELLINGTON, December 22. The Mimsi-er of Defence, HOll. J. G. Cob'be, has arranged for New Plymouth Aero Club to have the use of a powerful searchlight from the Defence Department, with an officer to operate it, to aid in the landing of the JSomliern. Cross at the New Plymouth aerodrome on January 14 or 15. Mr W Kingkifor'd Smith, who is arranging for the flight and tour, states Mr S. E. Neilson, Secretary of the New Zealand Aero Club, tne New Plymouth Aero Club, and the Western Federated Aero Club, will be a passenger on the flight and will leave Auckland for Australia by the Monowaa on 29th. December.

When it was known that Sir Charles had decided to make his first landing in New Zealaiid|p.t New Plymouth, the New Plymouth -Aero Club undertook ideveliopmenlt work entailing an expenditure of £909 to provide better landing and taking-off facilities for the Ihuge monoplane. Although the work has prana nently improved the aerodrome for the club’s own purposes, it was undertaken as a special work in vjew of the flight. The Southern Cross has cabin accommodation for fourteen passengers and more cam be carried if necessary. The 4 ingest number of passengers ever taken aloft 'by the machine is twentysix. This was at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The weight of passengers has no bearing on navigation, for the machine nan carry a dead weight equivalent to seventy passengers.

Mr Kingsford 'Smith brought over with him from Australia a film depicting the famous trans-Pacific flight of the Southern Cross, and also* the trainsTasman flight fo New Zealand in Sei> tember, 1928. Arrangements have been made for Sir Charles to give lectures 011 flying at the various towns he will visit in New Zealand, and the film will b e shown at the same time. On the tour round New Zealand the Southern Crass will take four or five passengers.

Mr W. Kingsford Smith asked if the City Council would slightly extend at Riongotai ’drome the landing and taking off place, remove a fence by bringing in and satisfactorily surfacing the three-cornered piece of laud available there. This was the condition made for a Wellington! visit. The ground mentioned is a new one. Part of it lias been levelled and covered with rotten rock, but the whole of it would need to he resurfaced for tho occasion, though the cost would not he exwKsive. The tongue of land rui'iH in the direction north and south of the main winds, and would add to the aviation facilities at Rongotai.

BRITISH-AUSTR ALLAN AIR. MAIL

RUGBY, December 21

Sir P. Sassoon, in reply to a question in Parliament said it was impossible to give a definite forecast regarding the proposed British-Austral-ia-ii air mail, but it was believed it would be in operation within a few mouths of. taking a decision. The interim offer of the Boyal Dutch Indian Airways to provide a, service pending the establishment of the British Australian Air Mail was under consideration. The Government was in consultation with the Australian Government.

INLAND TOURING IN BRITAIN

RUGBY, December 21

The first of a fleet of “Dragon” cabin aeroplanes with which an Essex firm of motor coach proprietors propose to organise inland air routes and popularise air touring in Britain, was delivered yesterday, and the naming ceremony was performed by Mrs Mollis on.

The machine is equipped with two Gipsy Major .engines of the type used by Mrs Mollison on her record flights to the Cape and back. The Dragon s maximum, speed is 128 miles per houi, and its disposable load is one thousand eight hundred and fifty pounds.

KTNSFORD SMITH’S SON,

SYDNEY. December 22. Ladv Kingston! Smith gave birth today to a son. Both are well.

Sir Charles TOingisford Smith has been inundated with congratulations. He is delighted with his Christmas box.

COUNCIL GRANTS £3OO

WELLINGTON, December 22

Providing that it is assured that Sir C. Kingston! Smith will land at Rongotni. the City Council to-day provisionally agreed to expend up to £3OO on the ground there, as desired In- Mr Wilfred Kingston! Smith, and the work can be done by the unemployed out of relief moneys.