FLIGHT OF CLIPPER.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 396, 1 April 1937, Page 6

FLIGHT OF CLIPPER.

AUCKLAND—WELLINGTON Circling New Plymouth To-morrow Morning. Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, Mia-roh 31. Captain Musick announced to-day that on the flight to Wellington on Friday he would set a course for New Plymouth and' expected to be over that town about 8 a.m., though that time v.'as subject to correction. Tlie clipper would follow the coiast round Cape Egmont and a new course would then be set for Wellington. If time permits; the clipper will pass over Wanganui and Palmerston North, but otherwise a direct course will be made from Patea to Wellington. where the ship will land at iaibout 10 o’clock. Normally, said Captain Musick, the flight to Wellington would take only two hours, but in view of the fact that he intended to circle New Plymouth by special request the flight would probably take the beet part of three hours. The course to be taken on the way back to Auckland will depend principally upon the time available, for it is essential that the clipper should reach Auckland by 5 o’clock. If time permits Captain Musick may fly up the east coast on the Way back to Auckland, passing over Napier. Requests that the clipper should pass overhead in the course of her flight have been received from a large numiber of towns. It will be impossible to comply with them all, although an effort will be made to fly in the vicinity of certain of the main centres.

Arrangements for the courtesy visit to Wellington are under the direction of Mr. Harold Gatty. He stolid it was probable the plane would leave Wellington about 2 o’clock in the afternoon It appeared to him that the Wellington people were intently interested in the service coming to New Zealand and, although there was no possibility ot Wellington becoming the base, everybody in the claipital had displayed a fine national spirit in furthering the proposed service.

Guests at Parliament House.

Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, March 31. Immediately after the completion of the Pan-American clipper’s survey flight the acting Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fiaser sent Captain Musick the following message: “On behalf ot the Government and the people of New Zealand I desire to congratulate you and your crew on your fine achievement, which marks an epoch in transPacifis aviation and. will do much to strengthen the English speaking- p eo . Pies of the Pacific”

Captain Musick and the crew of the Clipper have accepted an invitation to be the guests of the Government at a reception and morning tea at Parliament House on Friday, shortly after their arrival from Auckland