SAFELY CROSSED

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 33, 2 November 1928, Page 11

SAFELY CROSSED

GRAF ZEPPELIN’S RETURN VOYAGE FRIEDRICHSHAFEN REACHED YESTERADY MORNING ATLANTIC FLOWN IN 72 HOURS 15 MINUTES The Graf Zeppelin lias arrived safely at Frieldrichshafen. Captain Hugo von Eckener has thus given Germany the honour of having made the first two-way trans-Atlantic flight. He is also the first airman to fly the Atlantic three times. (United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn. —United Service.) (Rec. November 1, 10.10 p.m.) London, November 1. The Graf Zeppelin arrived at Friedrichshafen at 7.10 o’clock in the morning, the flight from Lakehurst having taken 72 hours 15 minutes. HEAVY FOG EXPERIENCED NAVIGATION MADE DIFFICULT NO TROUBLE WITH ENGINES (Australian Press Assn.—UnitcU Service.) (Rec. November 2, 0.25 a.m.) Berlin, November 1. The Graf Zeppelin, during the last stages, had considerable difficulty in keeping her bearings, and repeatedly wirelessed Le Bourget and Friedrichshafen for directions. The weather conditions forced her to keep farther south than expected, making the journey across France by way of Nantes, Tours, and Dijon. The fog was so thick that she could not be seen above Basle, though the engines were clearly heard. Finally she slowed down and hovered above Lake Constance for tu o hours in order to allow the weather to clear and have the benefit of daylight. , , When above the landing ground her silvery hull was a striking spectacle in the glare of searchlights. The passengers could plainly bo seen from the cabin windows waving hats and handkerchiefs. . __ . Before going to bed Captain Lckener emphasised that the dense fog during the last stages made navigation difficult. He added that the Zeppelin stood the test excellently.. "Yon should have seen the steamers we met rolling in the heavy seas. _ W e bad not the slightest trouble with the cm gines.” DID NOT PASS OVER BRITAIN (British official Wireless.) Rugby, October 31. The German airship Graf Zeppelin, which was expected to reach Friedrichshafen some time this evening, did not, as was anticipated, pass over the British Isles on her homeward course. At 7 o'clock this morning she was sighted 280 miles south-west of Ireland, and at 10 o’clock she was reported 140 miles west of Brest. THE CROSSING OVER FRANCE (Australian Press Association.) Paris, October 31. The Graf Zeppelin flew over Tours at 2 o’clock in the morning at a height of 6000 to 7000 fet. People ran out when the terrific roar of the engines was heard. They saw the gondolas and lights plainly till they disappeared in the direction of Paris. Friedrichshafen reports that the landing ground is already crowded, thousands of people flocking from all parts of the country. THE YOUNG STOWAWAY OFFERED SEVERAL POSITIONS (Australian Press Association.) London, October 31. Clarence Terhune, the eighteen-year-old stowaway on the Graf Zeppelin, who is washing dishes aboard, seems to have hitched his wagon to a star by stowing away. Already he has had many offers for his services. A Hamburg circus proprietor wirelessed offering him a job as wild animal tamer, or if he is disinclined for that, a large department store at Aix la Chapelle is offering him a big position as salesman. Incidentally he has been offered £5OO to appear in a German film. Germany generally regards the feat in a sporting spirit. The American Consul at Stuttgart says that provided Captain Eckener favourably reports on Terhune’s conduct, he will furnish the necessary papers to preclude the lad being imprisoned. A rich American in Stuttgart says he is willing to defray the lad’s passenger fare. He is thus safeguarded whatever the outIt is revealed also that the lad b> wireless sold the newspaper rights of his story for a large sum white aboard. A leading Berlin night club, the Casanova, makes the remarkable announcement that the stowaway wnelessed, reserving a table for the night of bis arrival. _ CIVIL AVIATION IN BRITAIN EXTENSION OF STATE CONTROL OPPOSED (Australian Press Association.) London, October 31. The “Morning Post” hopes that the Air Ministry’s proposals will not lead to the extension of State control of civil aviation, which at present is developing rapidly and naturally out of control. MANCHESTER PROVIDING AERODROME (British OlUci.ll Wireless.) Rugby, October 31. The Manchester Corporation to-day sanctioned I lie construction of a municipal aerodrome at Chat Moss, near the .city. It was only yesterday that the

Air Ministry issued a circular letter to big: towns in the provinces inviting them to consider the advisableness of establishing municipal aerodromes with a view to assisting the development of civil aviation. FRENCH AIR BUDGET EXPERIMENTAL BUILDING (Australian Press Association.) Paris, October 31. Discussion of the Air Budget in the Chamber of Deputies revealed that France intends to spend more than a million sterling immediately on the experimental construction of new types of aeroplanes. M. Francois Poncet said that the Government aimed at securing new and better machines, rather than at accumulating stocks of existing types. HURLEY’S FLIGHT DEPARTURE FROM 00DNADATTA (Rec. November 1, 5.50 p.m.) Sydney, November 1. Captain Hurley left Oodnadatta at 5.30 this morning, South Australian time, with the intention of reaching Wyndham to-night. The monoplane passed over Alice Springs,. Central Australia at 9 o’clock Sydney time. It had nearly a thousand iniles to cover. A later message stated that strong head winds would probably cause a stoppage for the night at Daly Waters. Hurley states that he is weary of the desert sights, heat, and droughty, desolate stock-runs. He and his companions were cordially received at Oodnadatta by whites, Afghans, aboriginals, goats, and dogs. Hurley's bowler hat created more fun among the Afghans and aboriginals than did the monoplane. The distance from Sydney to Wyndham is 2113 miles. FLIGHT TO BERMUDA PROGRESS OF FLYING FISH (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. November 1, 5.5 p.m.) New York, October 31. A message from Norfolk, Virginia, states that the Flying Fish was to-day flown to Menteo, North Carolina, from where Lyons Lancaster and Putnam hope to depart for Bermuda to-morrow, Lancaster stated that they had advanced the point of departure to Meneo to save fuel weight on the trip. AIR-COMMANDER SAMSON RESTORED TO FULL PAY (Australian Press Association.) London, October 31. Air-Commander Samson, one of the most famous of war personalities and pioneers of British naval flying, has been restored to full pay from October 1. It came as a surprise in 1927 when he was placed on half-pay though only 44. It was explained that there was no post then available for him. The Germans, in war time offered £lOOO reward for his capture dead or alive. STRIKE OF POLISH COMPANY'S STAFF (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Rec. November 1, 5.5 p.m.) Warsaw, November 1. Only one passenger aeroplane departed to-day, owing to the staff of the Polish Aerial Transport Company striking because their demand for a 25 per cent, increase in wages was refused.