MOTH’S FEAT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3933, 20 April 1929, Page 4

MOTH’S FEAT.

NEW ZEALAND RECORD PLIGHT Auckland April 16. Major G. A. C. Cowper, instructor of the Auckland Aero Club, and Mr Spencer Mason, a member of the eomlmittee, flew, frolm Christchurch to Auckland in 10hr. 40min. Only eight hours were spent in the air. Although the performance establishes a record for one day flights in the Dominion, it was neither an endurance test or speed exhibition. The journey was accomplished without fatigue or hard pressing, the Moth travelling at all times with a large reserve of power. The Moth alighted on Mengere aerodrome shortly after 5 p.m., bearing the morning newspapers frotat Christchurch and a letter of greeting from the Mayor of Christchurch, the Rev. J. K. Archer to the Mayor of Auckland, Mi’ G. QB'aildon. 'The Moth left Wigram Aerodrome at 6.30 am. with .a light following Wind. The coast was followed up to Cape Campbell where a turn in to Blenheim was made. A landing was effected at 8.40 am. and the Moth left Blenheim again at 10.15 a.m. Cook Strait was crossed at a height of 2,000 feet at the narrowest part between Tory Channel and Cape Terawhiti. The West Coast was followed, visibility through the Manawatu district being rather bad, and necessitating a descent to 300 ft. Conditions improved over Wanganui, and a landing was made at Hawera at 1.15 p.m. after a “hop” of three hours ten minutes. The machine took off at 2.30 p.m. and landed at Manger© at 5.10 1 p.m. The air speds ranged from 60 to 70 miles an hour.