News—Startling and Unexpected

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 27, 16 January 1931, Page 9

News—Startling and Unexpected

New Zealand learns by Radio that Tasman has been crossed by Lone F lyer

at 1 a.m. for New Zealand." That was startling news, unexpected, mysterious and sensational. It was to open the way for another triumph for broadcasting. No eT HE Southern Cross Junior left Sydney ,.one in New Zealand had imagined for a moment t : o Coast he would be able, through the miracle of a lone flyer would cross the Tasman in ‘twelve hours, and most unlikely would it have seemed that, from a small town on the West radio, to greet the people of New Zealand the same evening.

This was the third trans-Tasman flight to make radio history in this country. The first was that of the ill-fated’ Captain Hood and Lieutenant Moncrief; then came the flight of Kingsford Smith and his three companions in the Southern Cross, whose epoch-making landing at Wigram aerodrome is marked by a slab, engraved: "They came on the Wings of the Morning." The intrepid Guy Menzies has been responsible for the third sensation. The news of the departure of the Southern Cross Junior brought the YA stations again to the forefront and demonstrated once again the efficiency of the Broadcasting Company’s organisation in handling events of wide public interest at very short notice. Many people received the first intimation of the Australian pilot’s flight per medium of radio, -and those with receiving sets were in receipt of the latest details immediately they were available. As soon as this news was authenticated,

urgent telegrams were sent to 1YA, 2YA and 4YA. 2YA was observing a silent day, but such was the enthusiasm of the staff that, realising the Dominion-wide interest which would be evidenced in the news, they were at their posts in a very short time, and the station was on the air to broadcast the news of Menzies’s arrival at Harepo. Every source of information in Shristchurch was kept in touch with, and all news was at once telegraphed to the other stations for, broadcasting. ; Rumours and reports soon gained currency.

At first it was assumed that Kingsford Smith was in the plane. From an authoritative source it was learned that this was not so, but for some time the identity of the intrepid airman was veiled in mystery. From 3 o’clock onward, at intervals, all available news was broadcast, but no one knew where the planeswas heading. On the chance that it would land at Wigram, 3YA rushed out its relay equipment and operators, while the Post and Telegraph Department arranged for a special line. Then it was considered that if the airman had not been blown out of his courge, he would be more likely to land at Blenheim or Wellington. An urgent call was sent through to the aerodrome at Blenheim, and arrangements completed for any news to be sent to the broadcasting stations immediately should Menzies arrive there. As time went on, and over 12 hours had elapsed since the departure from Sydney, excitement became intense. It was estimated