THE TASMAN FLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 85, 9 January 1928, Page 8

THE TASMAN FLIGHT

NEW ZEALAND AVIATORS READY AWAITING GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS “HOP-OFF” PROBABLY TO-MORROW Expectations that the New Zea-and aviators Moncrief/ and Hood would attempt their flight across tlie Tasman Sea from Sydney to Trentham yesterday were set aside by a cable message from the former stating that they would leave any time after Sunday, weather permitting. Dr. E. Kidson, Director of the Meteorologicai Department, informed a “Dominion” representative last night that it was raining in Sydney yesterday, and southerly winds prevailed in the Tasman Sea. These conditions, combined with the overcast weather on the

New Zealand coast, make it improbable that a start will be made to-day. This view is confirmed by a Sydney message, received . last night, which stated that the New Zealand flyers ma'de a trial flight vesterday (Saturday) at Richmond! and expressed themselves well satisfied with the result. Under the present damp weather conditions, and in consequence of reports regarding the Tasman Sea, there appears little chance of their getting away before Tuesday morning at the earliest. The airmen propose to start their flight on the first suitable day as regards weather, at 2 o’clock in the morning, in order to have the maximum hours of daylight ahead of them. The sea distance from Sydney to Wellington is 1239 miles, which means, roughly, about 1400 land miles, on a direct air line. Allowing for the difference in time, between Sydney and Wellington and the “daylight saving” _ hour, the aeroplane, flying at 100 miles an hour, should reach Trentham abopt 6.30 p.m. It may happen that weather or other circumstances may enforce a landing at some other part of New Zealand, but Trentham is the official landing place.

Greeting the Flyers. In view of the great interest being shown .in the project, it is expected' that many people will go. out to ’ Trentham to welcome the flying men. I The Wellington Racing Club Jias given , permission for the racecourse enclosures at Trentham to be available to the public, and arrangements are being 1/ made by the Railway Department and ' the bus services to handle,, whatever crowds mav be offering. Iranis and buses will 'run to Trentham at times that will enable people to see the landing of the airmen. As it is essential to, have a clear landing place, the field inside the race track will be kept clear of the public The Commissioner of Police has, arranged for a strong force of men to patrol the field. , Arrangements have been made by the Post and Telegraph Department to flv flags at the principal post offices throughout the Dominion on receipt of news that the flight has started. The Harbour Board will also fly . a four-flag signa! at Mount Victoria signal station. The Post and Telegraph Department has arranged for certain officers on the West Coast of both islands fo report promptly to Wellington anv signs of the aviators. A Sydney message says that the New Zealand aviators, in the event of having to come down at sea, will carry with them a rubber raft-which can be inflated from a bottle of compressed air in a ftw minutes. Wireless messages in the Morse code will be transmitted during the flight at frequent intervals on a wave-length of 88.1 and 33.5 metres. Many airmen and other visitors have inspected the machine Aotea Roa since its arrival at Richmond Aerodrome, and have expressed much admiration for it. THE AVIATORS. Since the flight to New Zealand was decided upon, Lieut. Moncrieff lias been one of the certainties to make the trip. As fate, in the way of illness or some other misfortune,- has. failed to eliminate either Captain Hood or Captain Kight, this matter was decided by the toss -of a coin, resulting m favour of Cdptain Hood, while the naturally disappointed Captain Kight has accepted his defeat in a most sportsmanlike Lieutenant John Robert Moncrieff, whose home is in Brooklyn Road, is ; well known in Wellington. He was born at Lerw.ick, Shetland Islands tn 1898, and came to New Zealand when lie was 16 years of age. He learned his trade as a motor engineer, and ‘ after enlisting in 1917 he went through a course in aviation at the Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch. Subsequently 1 he went to England, where, after fur- ■ ther instruction, he qualified as a flying officer just before the end of the war. ' After going through a further twelve ■ months’ course of instruction he _ re- . turned to New Zealand in 1920. Lieut. Moncrieff, who holds a position with the A.B.C. Motor Garage, is a member ' of the New Zealand Air Force, and 1 goes through his ’ annual refresher ’ course at the Wigram Aerodrome. 1 Captain George Hood, a son of Mr. ■ F. Hood, one of the early settlers in ' the Wairarapa, was born at Masterton 35 years ago. He left New Zealand ' with the Main Body of the Expedition- ; ary Force and served at Gallipoli and 1 in France. Towards the end of the war ' he transferred to the Royal Air Force, ■ but met with an accident while flying l - in England. Since his return to New ' Zealand he has taken a refresher course ’ each year at the Wigram Aerodrome.