FINISHING POST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 256, 29 October 1934, Page 8

FINISHING POST.

MANAWATU FLYERS. New Zealanders Fifth Home in Air Race. DELAYED IN AUSTRALIA. (TJnitcJ r.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MELBOURNE, October 28. The New Zealand competitors in the Centenary air race SquadronLeader M. C. McGregor and Mr. H. C. Walker, arrived at Melbourne at 7.55 a.m. to-day. Their Miles Hawk machine, therefore, was the fifth to reach the finishing post. A message from Cloncurry states that Messrs. McGregor and Walker, during the time they were believed to be missing, were actually spending the night at Brunette Downs, with which there is no radio communication. "Where are Hewett and Kay?" asked Mr. McGregor when he landed at Cloncurry. "We must not allow them to beat us," lie said. The flyers stayed at Brunette Downs to avoid tho possibility of being lost in dust storms which raged during the night. "This is the hardest section of the flight," said Mr. McGregor. "Our engine cowling gave us trouble, but after making an oil screen from a kerosene tin to prevent oil clouding tho drift indicator we were able to get away."

Interviewed at Charloville Mr. McGregor explained their delay between Darwin and there. He said: "The weather was clear when we left Darwin, but we ran into bad dust storms just before reaching Newcastle Waters. It was not bad enough to detain us there, so we took off for Cloncurry. As we proceeded the flying conditions gradually became worse and at times it was impossible to see. more than a few yards ahead. We had passed Brunette Downs when the visibility became so bad it was impossible to proceed further. Consequently wo returned and landed at the station. "The country between Darwin and Charleville is difficult for flying at any time, and with bad weather conditions ahead wo would have run a serious risk of crashing if we had tried to proceed. Consequently we spent the night at Brunette Downs." The modesty of tho New Zealanders created a good impression at Charloville. Mr. McGregor, when told by the Mayor that he was a hero, replied: "Oh, no. There is nothing at all like that about it. I am just an ordinary sort of chap who happens to earn his living by flying." Both New Zealanders are sunburnt because their aeroplane offers no shelter. Tho pilots sit in open cockpits, whereas tho other machines arc completely closed in. Tho Miles Hawk looks quite a sturdy, yet almost a cheeky, little craft when mentally compared with some of tho larger and more powerful aeroplanes. VICE-REGAL MESSAGE. N.Z. FLYERS' ACHIEVEMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day.

The following message was sent by tho Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, to Messrs. McGregor and Walker: — "Heartiest congratulations on your fine achievement. New Zealand is proud of her sons."