BLENHEIM TO SYDNEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 460, 15 September 1928, Page 1

BLENHEIM TO SYDNEY

Kingsford Smith’s Decision GROUND IDEAL FOR HOP-OFF Press Association. BLENHEIM, To-day. AFTER inspecting the grounds suggested by the Marlborough Aero Club, the trans-Tasman flyers decided definitely this morning to make Blenheim their point of departure on the return trip to Australia. Both Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and FlightLieutenant TTlm said that they had never seen a ground so ideally suited for their purpose. The Southern Cross will land at Blenheim on September 28, and will take off at dawn on September 30, subject, of course, to weather conditions being favourable.

When the three Bristol fighters arrived cn the first stage of what bids to he a triumphal air tour of New Zealand, the scenes that accompanied the historic landing of the Southern Cross at the Wigram Airdrome were reproduced on a smaller scale. The airmen were overwhelmed by the warm nature of their reception. After landing yesterday the flyers were given a civic welcome by the Mayor, the chairman of the Marlborough County Council and the of the Marlborough Aero Club. Kingsford Smith and Ulm heartily congratulated Blenheim on its enterprise in forming an aero club, declaring that no other town of its size in Australia or New Zealand had shown such progressiveness. They would be glad, they said, if their visit had assisted the movement in any way. In the evening the airmen were the guests at a mayoral dinner, when again great enthusiasm was shown by an assembly representing all local bodies in the province. High tributes were paid to their courage in blazing long air trails across the Pacific and the Tasman.

Representations were made byseveral speakers that the airmen should take advantage of the excellent taking-off facilities offered by at least two huge flat paddocks near Blenheim for their departure for Australia. In reply, Kingsford Smith expressed deep interest in the suggestion, stating that the facilities offered already- had been brought to their notice, and if a field were found in Marlborough to suit their requirements, they would seriously consider the possibility of leaving from there for their return over the Tasman. The departure from Marlborough would reduce the journey by two hours which, in view of the fact that they anticipated encountering m head wind going back, would be an important consideration. After the function the flyers visited the picture theatre to witness the first screening of films of their arrival in Christchurch. One machine in landing at Blenheim damaged its tail-skid, but was repaired this morning. ACROSS COOK STRAIT AIRMEN AT TRENTHAM WELCOMED BY MR. COATES Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. Squadron - Leader Kingsford Smith, Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, Mr. H. A. Litchfield and Mr. T. H. McWilliam, accompanied by Captain J. L. Findaly and Captain M. Buckley, left Blenheim for Wellington at 10.12 this morning, and landed at Trentham at 10.56 a.m. They were received by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. .T. G. Coates, and the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup. IN TEETH OF NOR’-EASTER three planes hop off AIRMEN REMEMBER TASMAN PIONEERS Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The Southern Cross flyers left for Blenheim at 2.30 p.m. to-day in the face of a gusty north-east wind. Indications were that higher up the w °uld be north-west and the night would be slow and bumpy. Leaving their hotel for the airdrome, the airmen passed to their car through crowds of cheering people, and hundreds were at the airdrome to witness their departure. There were other l undreds who were too late, because lhe Party left half an hour earlier than intended, owing to the head wind, fief ore leaving to-day-, Squadronheader Kingsford Smith said that if

he and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm went to England, it would not be by air. They were not ambitious to fly the Atlantic, as others had shown that it could be done. They had plans for other flights in the Southern Cross, but he declined to state when or where they would be. The co-commanders to-day sent a cheque for £lO 10s to the Christchurch secretary of the fund for the widows of Captain G. Hood and Lieutenant J. R. Moncrieff. TO HONOUR AIRMEN MEMORIAL SUGGESTED (Special to THE SUN) WELLINGTON, Friday. A memorial to honour those who made the first gallant attempt to fly the Tasman and those who first succeeded has been suggested by Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland). Mr. Seddon has given notice to ask the Prime Minister whether, to celebrate the triumphal landing of Squad-ron-Leader C. E. Kingsford Smith and the Southern Cross flyers, and to commemorate the attempt of Lieutenant J. R. Moncrieff and Captain G. Hood, in the Aotearoa, the Government will consider the erection of a suitable memorial. PAHIATUA WANTS TO SEE PLANE Press Association PAHIATUA, Ffiday. The Paliiatua Chamber of Comm* has asked the trans-Tasman flyers,, if they will circle round Paliiatua in the Southern Cross or land.