PACIFIC FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1933, Page 6

PACIFIC FLIGHT

FIJI MAKING PREPARATIONS

FOR VISIT OF ULM'S MACHINE

SUVA, July 15,

Now that Dir 0. T. P. Ulm, and Iris companions in the monoplane Fatli in Australia have completed the first half of the journey, interest in Fiji is beginning to centre upon the arrangements for the landing at Navua on the return flight to Australia. Navua is a small coast settlement 19 miles from Suva and, although not. connected Ivy road 'with s tlio capital, js easily accessible by Water either at low or high tide. At low tide it is necessary to proceed to Navua outsido the reef, but at high tide regular launch services run inside the reef.

Captain Crow, manager of Fiji Airways, Limited, has been entrusted with th© landing arrangements, and ho has marked out a strip of land near the Beach which gives -a runway of some 900 yards. This land comprise? rice fields from which the rice has been harvested, and the use of a Gov'eminent grader and tractor is being obtained to level the ground. As was the ease when Sir Charles Kingsford -Smith and. Air Ulm arrived here on their Pacific flight on June o, 1928, in the Southern Cross, a different place has been selected for the final take-off. The Southern Cross landed at Albert Park and supplies were taken to Naselai Beach for the final take-off, this being considered the most suitable place for a heavily-laden machine.

It is stated that the same, procedure will bo. followed with the Faith in Australia, as it is considered doubtful that sufficient space is available for. that purpose at Navua. Although very suitable for seaplanes Fiji, owing to its hilly and rather rugged nature, is not well suited for aeroplanes, and suitable landing and taking-off grounds near Suva are very difficult to find. At low tide there is a good firm surface at Naselai and ample runway for the monoplane.