IN THE AIR.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 6 October 1920, Page 3

IN THE AIR.

PET ONE TO WANGANUT. FLIGHT IN 1 HOUR 12 MINUTES. The first aerial flight from I’etonc t<: Wanganui was accomplished yester day by Captain E. Russell. D.F.C.. Croix de Guerre, in Messrs Walsh Eros.’ Avro machine, the journey from the Petone post oflico to Wanga mii post office being completed in onhour and twelve minutes. The weather was splendid l'or the trip, whicl created great interest all along the route. ■‘-■jsgfpar Tlie air distance to Wanganui, tT* calculation, is approximately 101 miles (stys the ‘ ‘Post The time oI arrival of Captain Kussell at ilif ferent stage?, of the flight were sup plied by Mr A. T. Marlumin, Sec re tary of the Post Olliec, as ujider:Left Petone at 10.7 a.m.; passed o\<IMinimerlon at 10.1.1; Paekakariki a' 10.20; Waikanac 3 0.21; Otaki 10.,‘.M Levin 10.41; Foxton 1 1 ‘.10; 'lflira kin. 11.10; arrived at Wanganui 11.10. PASSING OVEK OTAKI. Very keen interest was taken i Captain Pusscll’s fliglit by resident, of Otaki and district. It had bee arranged that the public were to b notified of the approach of the aer< plane by the sounding of the Fire 13 1 * gade’s syren, 'flic postmaster receiver word "of the machine passing over Pa--kakariki, and the syren was sounded :■ few minutes later. Practically tin whole population rushed out to th streets to see the uncommon sight The buzz of the engine was distinct!; heard a little while before the niaehin* came in sight. Jt was travclJin straight over the town, at a very coj: siderablc height, and made a beautify picture, there being a cloudless si; and still air. It had been report- ' that Captain Russell calculated tin: he would lie at Otaki half an lion from leaving Petone. As a matter o fact, thirty minutes from his lea vim Petone he was almost out of sigv aortli of Otaki.