THE SOUTHERN CROSS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 12, 9 October 1928, Page 11

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

WEATHER CONTINUES ADVERSE

DAY OF DEPARTURE STILL UNCERTAIN

By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.

Blenheim, October 8.

After a wait of ten days at Blenheim the prospects of the Southern Cross airmen making a start on their return flight to Sydney are as uncertain as ever.

Practically ever since the Southern Cross landed here from Christchurch westerly disturbances have prevailed in the Tasman Sea, culminating during the week-end in a wild gale that wrought havoc in and about Sydney and in many parts of New Zealand. In the circumstances the trans-ocean flight of the Southern Cross was entirely out of the question. The disturbed conditions appear likely to last for some days yet, and it may be the end of this week before the weather becomes sufficiently stable for the flight to be commenced. As the Dominion Meteorologist (Dr. Kidson) has several times pointed out, cyclonic disturbances passing between Australia and New Zealand are frequent at this season of the year, which is one of the most disturbed periods when unsuitable conditions for transocean flight are the rule rather than the exception. To-day’s weather forecasts predict a continuance of strong westerly gales and unsteady barometrical pressures. So uncertain is the position to-day that Kingsford Smith and his party have put out of their minds any idea of a start before Thursday at the earliest.. Their terrible experience in the storm encountered during their flight from Sydney has given them a wholesome respect for the vagaries of Tasman Sea weather, and they have formed an unshakeable determination to takfe iio risks and not to start until conditions are as safe as can be possibly forecasted. Evidence of Blenheim’s suitability as an air port was supplied during the week-end. While Canterbury and Wellington were being swept by a fierce nor’-wester, which unroofed houses, uprooted trees, and did other damage, Marlborough was immune from trouble. The wind certainly blew with gale force during the week-end, and there were many violent squalls, but no damage of ally kind has been reported. The Southern Cross, with two Bristols and a Moth were, in an exposed position on the flying field, which is completely , unsheltered in the centre of a wide plain open to the north-west. The giant Fokker and the tiny Moth were housed in the temporary hangar, while the Bristols were tied down under the lee of a straw stack, and all rode out the gale without the slightest damage, although the strong squalls occasioned the airmen some anxious hours. This evening the Bristols and the Moth were flown across to the municipal aerodrome, where they were housed in the Aero Club’s permanent hangar. ■ ," To-night the gale showed signs of abating, and to-morrow morning, if the conditions are favourable, Kingsford Smith and* the other members of his crew will take the Southern Cross up for another trial flight to test out the engines and all the instruments. GRANT TO FLYERS APPROVED

The Supplementary Estimates dealt with by Parliament yesterday confirmed the grant of £2OOO made by the Government to the aerial conquerors of the Tasman.