THE THIRD STAGE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 393, 27 March 1937, Page 5

THE THIRD STAGE.

PACIFIC FLIGHT. American Clipper Reaches Pago Pago. Press Association—Copyright. San Francisco. March 25. The Pan-American clipper plane making a survey flight to New Zealand left Kinsman Reef at 9.49 a.m. (Pacific Time) yesterday, and landed at Pago Pago at 8.14 p.m., completing ‘he third stage of the journey. “We made an easy .anding in choppy waters.' on Pago Pago harbour,’’ says a message from the pilot, Captain Edward Musick. "Our time was ten hours' thirty-five minutes, and the average speed 150 miles an hour. Clouds, rain and unbroken sea were our only sights on this leg, and we navigated mostly by the radio direction finder. “Steady rain and storm warnings indicate delay for a day or two. The flight to Auckland would be useless in this weather. We were unable to study land-marks and approaches on the myriad of islands, where an excited official and native population witnessed our arrival.”

A later message from Captain Musick said: “We are waiting for/the storm centre to pass. We are surveying the harbour and familiarising ourselves with the approaches.”