“FINE AND FOOLISH”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 January 1931, Page 5

“FINE AND FOOLISH”

FLIGHT ACROSS THE TASMAN A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT (United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 9th January, 9.25 a.m.) SYDNEY. This Day. “Fine and foolish” is how Captain Leggatt, who gave Guy Menzies his first flying lessons, describes the flight to New Zealand. Nobody could detract from the greatness of the achievement, but any airman, no matter how skilled, who attempts a solo flight across the Tasman in a single-engined machine is foolish, he said. SYDNEY PRESS COMMENT FULL MARKS AWARDED SYDNEY, Bth January. The “Sun” newspaper publishes a full page story of Menzies’ flight, replete with exciting incidents and thrills, and announces that Menzies and A. E. James are preparing for a flight to Japan within a few months. The “News,” in an editorial commending Menzies, says: “We give him full marks,” and adds that the flight embodies much of the spirit so desirable to-day in Australia, and also brings the day of regular aerial communication with New Zealand nearer. “Then, indeed, that wide belt of seasickness will have lost its terrors..”

NO PERMISSION SOUGHT YOUNG FLIER’S INTREPIDITY SYDNEY, Bth January. Dealing with Menzies’ flight, the “Evening News” to-day features the editorial comment of the “Otago Daily Times,” declaring that the absence of any official means in Australia or New Zealand to prevent foolhardy flights is regrettable. Colonel Brinsmead, Director of Civil Aviation, in reply, said that Menzies did not seek permission for the flight, and if he had done so it could only have been frowned upon and discouraged, but if it had been a-commercial enterprise carrying a passenger the Government could have stopped it. At the same time Colonel Brinsmead was greatly relieved that Menzies got through safely. He thoroughly appreciated the young flier’s intrepedity, yet it was inadvisable for any inexperienced person to take such chances. FLIGHT TO JAPAN 7 WHY MACHINE WAS PURCHASED (Received 9th January, 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Albert James, who owns a controlling interest in the Southern Cross Junior, states that the flight to New Zealand wns undertaken without his permission or information. It was with the object of making a flight to Japan for which arrangements were almost completed that the machine was purchased.