Off to Blenheim

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 471, 28 September 1928, Page 1

Off to Blenheim

’Plane Undergoes Final Tests Invitation to Government House Press Association u WELLINGTON, To-day. ‘ VUE radio equipment has been repaired and will be tested * in the air to-day under Mr. McWilliam’s supervision, and, provided these and compass tests are satisfactory, we hope to leave this afternoon for Blenheim, where we will refuel the machine and await favourable weather reports.”

JN a telegram to the Press Association to-day Flight-Lieut. Ulm thus summarised the immediate programme of the Southern Cross. "It is practically certain we will have head winds travelling at about 25 miles an hour throughout the whole of the return flight,” he said, “and, therefore, it may take anything from 18 to 24 hours. Subject to the weather, we will leave Blenheim between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., and therefore cannot at present give even the approximate time of our arrival at Richmond Airdrome, but as it is almost certain we will arrive at Richmond after dark, we are sending a cable asking that lighting facilities in the way of flood lights, etc., will be prepared. We are also asking that, if possible, searchlights will be played at both Sydney and Newcastle (Bulli and Woollongong also have distinguishing lights), when we are coming over. “Dr. Kidson informs us that there is probability of. an anti-cyclone existing on the eastern coast of Australia, and that it is possible that within the next week we may have conditions favourable enough to warrant our taking-off.

“But I would ask the public to bear in mind that we may be delayed for two or three weeks, as we are sticking to ‘safety first' and definitely will not leave until fair average conditions prevail.

"The hail through which we flew coming over tore off a good deal of the protective paint covering on the leading edge of our wings, but this has since been reconditioned by the Air Force here, and by to-day we will be satisfied that the good old Southern Cross is in as good a condition as when we left. “After our tests and after our consultation with Dr. Kidson we will communicate again, and hope to give you more definite news regarding our projected departure. “Unfortunately we will not be able to accede to many requests to go further south to Timaru, Oamaru and Dunedin, as previously planned. Everywhere we have visited in Naw Zealand we have been received most enthusiastically, and it is indeed pleasing to find that our flight has stimulated a tremendous amount of public interest in aviation throughout the Dominion. “Prior to our arrival there was practically no civil aviation activity in New Zealand, but we are happy to know that our flight has been the cause of seven or eight Aero Clubs being formed, and the public is now practically clamouring for the establishment of regular air services in the Dominion.

“Blenheim is particularly enthusiastic and has prepared a magnificent taking-off ground for our return flight to Australia. Nearly 6,000 feet of runway into the prevailing wind is now ready, and enthusiastic residents are completing the erection of a temporary hangar to house the Southern Cross in case of our being delayed by unfavourable weather reports. “Dr. Kidson, the Government Meteorologist, will arrive in Christchurch this morning to spend the day with us in discussing meteorological aspects of the forthcoming return flight. His help throughout has been invaluable. “The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and Lady Fergusson, have been very kind in asking us to spend as many days as we can in seclusion and rest at Government House in Wellington prior to our departure, and we will avail ourselves of this kind Invitation should unfavourable weather conditions hold us up for a few days at Blenheim as, throughout our tour, we have attended innumerable functions in our honour, and we are now really physically tired.” “100 PER CENT. EFFICIENT” MONOPLANE TRIED OUT FLIGHTS OVER CHRISTCHURCH (Special to TUB SDN) CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. After being housed at Wigrani since September 11, the Southern Cross took the air again yesterday to test the engines, wireless and other equipment.

Kingsford Smith was thoroughly satisfied with the tests, remarking afteri wards that the machine was “100 per cent, efficient.’’ At 2.30 p.m. the airplane, with Kings - ford Smith and Captain Findlay in the pilot seats, taxied away from the hangar to the eastern end of the ground, turned sharply and ran up into the wind. It made a beautiful take-off after a run of not more than 200yds. After circling over Cathedral Square and over the Cashmere Sanatorium, the Southern Cross returned, circled once more low over the Square and then flew back to the airdrome. Immediately after the first flight the Southern Cross took off again. Lieutenant Denton was in the pilot seat with Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith. The machine circled Lyttelton Harbour and then crossed the hills to Sumner, returning by way of Cashmere ; and the city. A third and final test flight was then made with the full crew of the Southern Cross on board. Among the passengers was Captain Buckley. The wire--1 less aerial was unreeled during the flight and the apparatus tested by Mr. ■ McWilliam.

Among the passengers taken up on the first two flights were: Mrs. J. L. Findlay, Mr. and Mrs. Eccles, of Claverly, where Capt. Findlay and Mr. H. A. Litchfield landed on their return from Blenheim, the Mayor, the Rev. J. K. Archer, and Mrs. Archer, the town clerk, Mr. J. S. Neville, and Mrs. Neville.

Last evening the airmen were the guests of the city at a citizens’ ball. Among the letters which the Southern Cross will carry back to Sydney on its return flight are one from the Mayor, the Rev. J. K. Archer, to the chief civic commissioner of the city of Sydney and one from the town clerk. Mr. J. S. Neville, to the town clerk of Sydney. These letters are in reply to letters which the Southern Cross brought over from Sydney.

“ON WINGS OF MORNING” TABLET TO PIONEER FLIGHT Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. The following is the inscription on the slab laid at Wigram Airdrome to mark the spot where the Southern Cross landed: “Here the Southern Cross first touched New Zealand soil after a pioneer airplane flight across the Tasman Sea, September 11, 1928.’’ Then follow the names of the four airmen and the words: “They came on the wings of the morning. This stone was laid by Sir Henry Wigram At 2 p.m. Sir Henry Wigram turned the first sod in connection with the placing in position of the stone slab. The aviators will assist at this function. BLENHEIM “AIR CRAZY” ACCOMMODATION TAXED VISIT TO BE INFORMAL (Special to THE SUN) BLENHEIM, Thursday. The whole town of Blenheim temporarily “air crazy/* Almost every shop has an aviation display and “The Flyers” is the only topic of conversation. Every hotel and boarding-house is xlready full and many people are billeted privately. To-morrow it is expected that all Marlborough will come to town, to see the arrival, and hundreds are known to be coming from Wellington, Nelson and the West Coast. The Aero Club’s arrangements are now 'complete for a one-way-traffic scheme needing 50 road patrolmen. Military forces will form a cordon round the monoplane, and the people will then be shepherded past in fenced lanes before the Southern Cross is put away in the hangar, which cost the club £3OO. The ground will be guarded all night and will be lit by floodlights with a searchlight mounted on a motor-truck to help in the take-off. The runway points due east and west in the direction of the prevailingwind. Officials declare that, following their wishes, Kingsford Smith and Ulm will not make speeches on thenarrival or during their stay in Blenheim. Informality will be observed throughout. Until midnight there was a constant stream of people to the Aero Club information and billeting bureau, buying car-stickers and tickets of admission at two shillings each. The Woodbourne Estate, owned by the Fairhall Brothers, where Kingsford Smith will take off for Sydney, was the first agricultural farm to be run as a commercial proposition in the Dominion. There will be no escorting airplanes from Wigram, as Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond arrives there on Saturday.