Blenheim “Standing By"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 475, 3 October 1928, Page 1

Blenheim “Standing By "

FLIGHT UNLIKELY TILL FRIDAY Flashing Beam Lights Up Country

(Special to THE SUE) BLENHEIM, To-dav. STANDING BY" just about describes what all Blenheim and most of Marlborough are doing now that there seems no possibility that the Southern Cross will take off before Friday, the date which the weather reports seem to indicate will he the earliest possible for the flight

Not only residents, but many outsiders connected with the arrange- \ ments, including Mr. J. Ball, chief announcer of the Radio Broadcasting Company, a technical assistant, and an oil and motor firm representative are waiting for Dr. Kidson to give j tho word to go. In the meantime visitors are doing their best to discover all possibilities of entertainment in the town. The flyers are still determined not to leave until everything is in their favour, but although it seems most unlikely for the weather to allow a start for two or three days, they are always on hand for weather reports, in case the electric depressions and \ unfavourable winds pass suddenly. After the last forecast yesterday Kingsford Smith and TJlm, with Captains Buckley and Findlay, left for Picton and took a launch to a delightfully quiet bay in Queen Charlotte Sound, where they spent the night. This morning they explored the Sound over which they flew the day they arrived in New Zealand, from a new medium —the water.

Blenheim people were waiting for them this evening. About five o’clock their car appeared and out stepped Ulm, bearing in his hand definite evidence that he knew how to catch fish. Kingsford Smith followed carrying several large lobsters. “I feel like a million dollars,” said Kingsford Smith, who, like others, was enthusiastic about the beauties and holiday possibilities of the Sounds. The next travellers to arrive at Blenheim by car were Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond, Squadron-Leader R. M. Drummond and Major T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, who immediately greeted the other airmen.

“Blenheim is the most progressive place in New Zealand,” explained Kingsford Smith to the Air-Marshal, “At any rate they have made the most progress with their aero club. They are wonderfully keen." Sir John Salmond was met by the Mayor, Mr. M. McKenzie, but as the visit was informal, there were no ceremonies. TESTING SEARCHLIGHT On several evenings lately the searchlight at the airdrome has provided amusement for the people of Blenheim, but this evening the flyers themselves showed how the light should be handled to help the airplane to take off. They went to the ground after dinner with Sir John Salmond, and turning their car into the beam, sped down the long paddock while the operators kept them spotted. They were apparently not satisfied, for on the next trip Ulm stayed behind manipulating the searchlight, while watching the car and telling the Wellington expert in charge of the light how he wanted it worked. Kingsford Smith could not resist the temptation of playing with the big beam and, turning the wheel himself, he switched it backward and forward across the sky. The Bleu-

heim people dashed to their cars to see what was happening, but by the time they got there the flyers had left and the light had been extinguished. To-morrow the light, which is mounted on two motor-trucks, will be switched on the mile-long runway. Having previously been on the other part of the field even without a searchlight, the "lads of the village” amuse themselves by mounting five or six of them on a car of the baby type and rushing madly from end to end of the runway which, after the operations of the county steam-roller, has a beautiful surface. As a result of to-night’s test. It was decided to use a narrow concentrated beam for the take-off In preference to the wider and more diffused light to which the big lamp can be adjusted. CONFERENCE WITH AIR CHIEF The flyers and the New Zealand Air Force officers spent the evening with Sir John Salmond, who leaves to-morrow morning for Nelson, whence he will go to Wellington. They then arranged for a test flight of the Southern Cross and flights to Christchurch by other planes to-morrow. The fund inaugurated by Kingsford ♦ Smith and Ulm to buy a Moth airplane for the Marlborough Aero Club ,1s growing steadily, and now stands at over £SO. Inquiries show that much more may be expected. In reply to Ulm’s telegram, the De Haviland agents promise delivery by the end of December if the order is placed before Saturday, which it is hoped to do. The Southern Cross has been well guarded day and night by territorials since the arrival, but two or three people leaning unobserved over the ropes managed to write their names on the tail of the airplane. Many names have been written, too, on the wings of the Bristol Fighter. Most Blenheim people have no desire in this direction, but one woman was heard to complain: “I’ve gazed at the Southern Cross for half an hour, looking for something to take as a souvenir, but there doesn't seem to be anything loose on it.” The people who overheard her tactfully did not mention this to Kingsford Smith or Ulm.

AIRMEN’S FLYING VISIT

TO CHRISTCHURCH AND BACK Press Association BLENHEIM, To-day. Captains Buckley and Findlay, witli Kingsford Smith and Ulm, and Mr. K. K. Palmer, of Christchurch, as passengers, left for Christchurch in the Bristol Fighter and E>H 50 at 9.30 this morning. A message from Christchurch states that they arrived at 11.30 a.m. They expect to return today.