THE TASMAN FLYERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 297, 1 October 1928, Page 2

THE TASMAN FLYERS

WEATHER DELAYS START. EVERYTHING IN READINESS. (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, September 30. Up to late on Saturday afternoon people were on the qui vive, following an announcement that the Southern Cross would hop off on her return across the Tasman at 4.45 on Sunday morning. A very large crowd has gathered in Blenheim from all parts of the Dominion, and all! day Saturday and to-day, a ceaseless stream found its way to tlie aerodrome, where the big monoplane is housed. Tucked under its wing is a Bristol fighter, like an oid hen and its chick. Camera fiends were busy and under the very fine arrangements made by Aero Club officials, a close-up view could he had of the big machine without danger of interference.

Yesterday afternoon the co -commanders made a final overhaul of the Southern Cross, and replaced the propellers. The tanks were filled and everything made ready for the great adventure. Late in the afternoon the weather report was pessimistic, and on beipg amplified later, Flight-Lieuten-ant Ulm announced officially that owing to. the bad weather outlook in the Tasman, the flight, as scheduled, would not take place. This was a great disappointment to the crowds of visitors. To day’s weather report gave no better promise, and the flyers announced that there was no prospect of leaving on Monday mornmg. However, the ’plane is ready and the men are ready to hop off when Dr. Kidson “fires the pistol.”

AVALANCHE OF LETTERS. MANY PRESENTS RECEIVED. BLENHEIM, Sept. 30. To the delight of the airmen the order banning speeches has been strictly observed, ana it has been at quite informal ceremonies that they have been presented with a number of tokens of esteem. On behalf of the Marlborough Maoris Mr A. Rpre gave Smith and Ulm a magnificent Maori mat apiece. The Aero Club presented each of the four with a valuable gold cigarette case, inscribed with such legends as “ ‘Smithy’ from the Marlborough Aero Club.” Among other gifts was one from Mr George Edwards, of Birkenhead, Auckland, formerly of Blenheim, who sent through Mr C. H. Mills a very fine floor rug made by himself, for the cabin of the Southern Cross. The central design is a Kiwi, symbolical of the Dominion’s Aero Clubs, anxious to fly but having no wings yet. Miss Smith, of Wellington, who had read Flight-Lieutenant Ulm’s narrative in which he said that it had been a very cold trip and tjiey were still shivering, sent long fur-waistcoats for each of the flyers, who much appreciated the consideration. From Mr H. Lloyd, of Wellington, each of the four received a greenstone tiki. Messrs Gei. and Louis Fairliall, the owners of the now famous ground from which the Southern Cross will take off, presented Kingsford Smith with a large photograph of the field in harvest time.

Squadron -Leader Kingsford Smith’s mail is an ever-encroaching avalanche of letters and parcels. They arrive by the sackful from all over the Dominion, the principal correspondents being seekers after autographs. One glimpso of the accumulation of mail since the airmen arrived in Blenheim is enough to fill anyone with dismay, and the task of opening it is formida'blo, and for the airmen quite impossible. Mr C. A. Macdonald (secretary of the Marlborough Aero Club), has been entrusted Avith the task of replying to such letters as are Avorth replying to, and of sorting out the really important ones for the attention of the airmen themselves. He Avas engaged most of Sunday, Avith tAvo lady stenographers and lavo typists in endeavouring to stave, off the avalanche, hut had hardly made any visible impression on the heap by nightfall. Thousands of people are asking the airmen to take letters and parcels across tho Tasman, and if these requests Avere acceded to the Southern, Cross would be so heavily laden that she Avould never leave tho ground. In most of these cases the letters will simply be posted in Blenheim to the addresses on the envelopes. Also in the mail aro little gifts and presents indicative of the airmen’s popularity. These Avill he packed in a case and freighted to Australia.

This afternoon the airmen motored to Picton and enjoyed a cruise in the Sounds. This evening they are resting, at their hotel.

The aerodrome is in splendid condition, the ground being comparatively dry and in no Avay holding.