RETURNING TO AMERICA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 486, 16 October 1928, Page 9

RETURNING TO AMERICA

INTENTIONS OF FLYERS KINGSFORD SMITH INTERVIEWED (Australian and X.Z. Press AssociationJ SYDNEY, Monday. Squadron-Leader Kingsfovd Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm did not show the slightest sign to-day of their gruelling and perilous Tasman flight. In an interview Smith said:— “Our future plan:- are not definite. We are going to America before long primarily to thank the donor of the Southern Cross for all he has done for us. We may fly part of the way, possibly from Honolulu. “We have accepted an invitation to attend an International Aeronautical Conference at Washington in December. We do hot want to talk of ocean flights for some time. Theoretically I do not believe in making them with land machines.” The airman paid a warm tribute to the skill of the wireless operator, Mr. McWilliam, and the navigator, Mr. Litchfield. He said: “Mac did wonderful work.” Smith said he found words inadequate to express his appreciation of the people and the Government of New Zealand. “Even when I lost £5 at a race meeting on some horse that ran up a lane,” he said; “they insisted on refunding it. That is hospitality if you like.”