TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3739, 10 January 1928, Page 3

TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT.

HOPPED OFF AT 5.14 THIS morning.

The postal officials were notified that Captain Moncrieff and Lieutenant Hood left Sydney at 2.44 a.m. (5.14 a.m. New Zealand time) to-day on their flight across the Tasman. Meteorological reports yesterday stated that the weather on the Australian side was not too good, and ' that in mid-ocean there were head winds. Dr. Kidson; Government Meteorologist, expresses the opinion that line weather-, with a comparative absence of wind, will prevail over the Tasman sea to-day. | 1 MOTIVE OF FLIGHT. HONOUR OF DOMINION. AIRMEN’S SELF- SACRIFICE. Dannevirke, Yesterday. Mr. A. M’Nicol, trustee of the Tasman flight fund, has been asked by the airmen to convey treir’thanks to their backers for the opportunity they have afforded, and to state that in the venture the airmen will endeavour to justify the confidence reposed in them. Mi- M’Nicol states that Lieut. Moncrieff and Captain Hood have entered on the venture at considerable personal sacrifice. They are both working mechanics, and the money subscribed for the fight, after meeting the heavy cost of the machine, has not permitted much to be allotted to meet their personal expenses in Australia. The administration of the scheme has been as economical as possible, and both aviators have had to find money, out of their own pockets. Both men are married, and their wives have taken the keenest interest in and given the greatest encouragement to the flight, sharing .with their husbands the sacrifice entailed in the venture. Mr M’Nicol says that he joins with Lieut. Moncrieff and Captain Hood in their tribute to Captain Knight, who has devotel time and energy to the Scheme, and whose enthusiasm was largely responsible for the support of backers. One of the main motives behind the flight, Mr M’Nicol states, is that it should be done by New Zealanders for New Zealand. CONDITIONS AT WESTPORT. V ' Westport, January 7. Keen interest is being taken in Westport in the Tasman flight. For week| past, with the exception of one ddy, the weather has been gloriously fine, with cloudless skies as far over- the Tasman as the eye can see. If the aviators could only, .pierce the fringe of the rough weather on the Australian coast, it looks as if they would run into, ideal conditions approaching New' Zealand. Should they reach Westport in the afternoon they will have a good landing ground on North Beach, were Captaih Buckley and Henderson tnladei their taking-off and landing-place during a prolonged visit to Westport. WELLINGTON’S WELCOME. Wellington, To-day. A welcome is to be extended to •the adventurers on their arrival at Trentham, and arrangements are being made to transport thousands of people from the city to the landing ground. The principal topic of con versatios concerns the flight, and wireless plants are tuned to catch Morse progress reports. (The city is thrilled with excitement and speculation is rife as to the time of arrival. WIRELESS MESSAGES PICKED UP. A wireless message picked up at Gisborse at 11.45 stated that the machine was going well. A LATER MESSAGE. We are informed that a wireless message received from the aviators at Wellington just after 2 p.m. stated that they were then 500 miles off New Zealand and hoped to land at Trentham at 5.30 p.m.

There were no official messages received up to the time of going to press.