MONCRIEFF’S FAREWELL MESSAGE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 87, 11 January 1928, Page 9

MONCRIEFF’S FAREWELL MESSAGE

AIRMEN’S HOPES GREETINGS FROM PRESS OF AUSTRALIA (Rec. January 10, 7 p.m.) Sydney, January 10. Lieutenant Moncrieff, in a farewell message, warmly thanks the Commonwealth Government and the Air I'orce ( for assistance in preparing for . the ( (light. He says that without this it would probably have taken another mouth to start. Lieutenant Moncrien adds: “In this flight there is no pecuni-. ary gain in view, nor is it a stunt. We hope it inav do something to establish

aerial communication between Australia and New Zealand, and may stimulate public interest in aviation as an arm of defence, and may bring closer to-, getlier two countries which are destined to be a far bigger power in the Pacific than they are to-day. Defence, is one of their many common interests.” Opportunity was taken of the flight by. various bodies and persons to send by tlie flyers congratulatory greetings to New Zealand, including one from Sir James Fairfax, as chairman of the Australian section of the Empire Press Union, to Sir George Fenwick, chairman of the New Zealand branch. SIGNALS NOT HEARD IN AUSTRALIA (Rec. January 10, B.SO p.m.) Melbourne, January 10. The wireless signals from the flyers were not heard here, and this caused disappointment to numbers of people who listened in, hoping to pick up word. GOOD WEATHER CLEAR VISIBILITY The Government Meteorologist, Dr. E. Kidson, stated last. night that the weather over the Tasman Sea during the day appeared to be good and generally favourable to the aviators. _ The atmospherics were such that the aviators should be enabled to pick up a prominent landmark like Mount Egmont from a distance of about 150 miles. The pressure distribution indicated that the fresh south-easterly winds prevailing on Monday had decreased and backed to north or north-east. Over the northern part of the Tasman Sea there would probably be light south-easterly winds and variable winds in the central portion. 'Over the southern Tasman Sea north-westerly or westerly winds were' probably experienced. ' NEWS ANXIOUSLY AWAITED IN SYDNEY (Rec. January 11, 1.15 a.m.) Sydney, January 10. News of the successful termination of the epic flight over the Tasman Sea was anxiously awaited in Sydney. When finally received shortly before 8 o’clock the evening newspapers issued special editions, which were rushed by eager crowds. There is a general feeling of relief that the aviators accomplished the hazardous flight without mishap. ~V SPEED MAINTAINED DURING .. FLIGHT Taking the time the aviators were in the air and a rough estimate of the distance covered, the average speed maintained over the journey must have been something like 80 miles an hour,