SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1933, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

FLIGHT TO DANNEVIRKE

RADIO-TELEPHONIC TESTS

{Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, ARr c h 21

Kingsford Smith wifn A. W. jSTi-soet of the Wellington Aero Club as second pilot, ,and members of the Southern Cross crew, also W. M. Dawson, radio expert, left 'th e Wellington flying ground in very unfavourable weather ‘at ten o’clock .-for , Dan.nevir.ke., ~A feature of ' the flight is that the trial is being made (of radio-teleplrOiiic communication from the plane. Broken messages from the Southem Qrpgfl on the (light suggested that weather -conditions off the ‘Coast weie none too pleasant. Mr Pankhurst, the New Plymouth pilot, had to turn back to Rongotai after starting- after the Southern Cross, Piloting the 'Western Federated Flying Club Moth, 'with Mr Neilson, secretary of the Federated Flying Chib, -as a passenger, Pankhurst set out for New Plymouth yesterday, but 'found the going heavy,* and turned back. He tried again this morning, just aftei the Southern Cross left, the route taken by the Southern Cross being followed. “It was plentifully and thoroughly dirty,” said Mr Pankuurst. “We got pa-st a patch of bumps and pockets that very nearly got us. He added that' he was not tackling it again today for £IOO, or anything else offering.

TASMAN FLIGHT ON SUNDAY. SYDNEY. March 21

Considerable interest is being taken in Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s homecoming o n Sunday from New Zealand. Arrangements are being made to giro him a rousing reception at Mascot.