TELLING THE STORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 456, 11 September 1928, Page 6

TELLING THE STORY

THE SUN KEEPS PUBLIC INFORMED RADIO AND SPECIAL EDITIONS In keeping with its reputation THE SUN was the first to tell Auckland of the start of the Tasman flight, and of its successful conclusion. The powerful wireless receiving set in the office was tuned into 2BL Sydney shortly after 6 p.m. yesterday, an hour before the flyers started. The reception was perfect, and a running note was taken of the doings at the airdrome, where the flyers were preparing for the last stage of their wonderful flight from San Francisco. All this information was immediately broadcast to the crowd which soon assembled outside The Sun Office, and which patiently waited in the cold for whatever scraps of news were available. Four loud-speakers were erected outside the office, and a considerable amount of expensive plant was in use to make these give the best results. The crowd heard all the details of the take-off, and this was followed with reports of any messages that were picked up from the plane by a shortwave set which The Sun had operating' in Remuera.

This direct communication with the plane enabled the crowd to be informed of the progress of the plane long before the broadcasting companies knew anything about the messages. It was not the fault of The Sun that the wireless messages from the Southern Cross did not convey all they might have done, and the flyers appeared to spend most of their time inquiring whether they were being heard.

This is probably accounted for by the message early this morning stating that the flyers and the wireless apparatus werg wet through. It was with some amusement that the listeners-in at The Sun, after having heard 2BL give a full account of the start of the flight and the take-off, heard IYA come on to announce that the flight was to take place and the engines of the Southern Cross were being tuned up. In the meantime a “Flight Edition” of The Sun was run off, and many people in the street received their first intimation that the flight 'was taking place when they purchased a paper with a full description of the take-off. This morning, unexpectedly early, the flyers made their appearance over Wellington Harbour, and from that stage onwards there was again a large crowd outside The Sun buildings. Hun dreds of people, before departing to their offices, heard full details of the arrival and landing of the flyers at Christchurch, through the loudspeakers. The Australian flag flying from the Watch Tower told of the landing of the Southern Cross to those who were unable to hear the announcement themselves.