THE TASMAN FLIERS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 271, 10 October 1928, Page 5

THE TASMAN FLIERS

Return Flight to Sydney

POSSIBLY TO-MORROW

MR MILL LEAVES IN A MOTH

(Per Press AssociationL

To-day.

Travelling in a f.loch plane, Mr Mill left for Christchurch at 10.45

o'clock this morning

Sqaudron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and Flight-Lieut. LUm intend" leaving in a Bristol plane for Christchurch this afternoon.

SOUTHERN TRIP ABANDONED.

SIGNS OF WEATHER IMPROVING

BLENHEIM, To-day.

Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and Flight-Lieut. Ulm, who contemplated a departure in a Bristol plane for Christchurh to-day, have received telegraphic advice from Dr Kidson that it is desirable to stand by, as the weather conditions might be favourable to fly back to Australia to-morrow or Friday.

PROSPECTS NO BRIGHTER

ULM BOOMS BLENHEIM

BLENHEIM, Tuesday.

Owing to the weather conditions, the Southern Cross is still anchored here. No improvement is expected lor at least three days. It has been arranged for an N.C.O. and seven men from the Permanent Force to take up guard duty at the Southern Cross hangar.

“I think it is a great advertisement for the stability of the flying conditions in Marlborough,” said Ulm this morning, “to reflect that, while neighbouring districts on both sides of you—Wellington and Christchurch —have been suffering from the effects of a heavy gale which has done considerable damage, we have been able to leave four aeroplanes practically out in the open here.”

Ulm added that the instance proved that the Blenheim people’s claim to exceptional flying conditions was well based, thought they should make the best use of the splendid advertisement the gale had given them, in impressing on the Government the desirableness of establishing an aerial base at Marlborough.

Kingsford - Smith concurred in Ulm’s remarks, and said that from every point of view—and not the least from that of the defence of Cook Strait and of Wellington—the Defence Department could not afford to overlook Blenheim as an aerial base.

“Of course,” he said, “the matter is none of my business, but the facts are patent to everyone who knows anything at all about aerial defence.”