THE SOUTHERN CROSS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 88, 7 January 1933, Page 13

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

Plans for New Zealand Visit Finalised ITINERARY OF TOUR The itinerary for Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s New Zealand tour Is as follows: — New Plymouth—January 14, 15, 16. Rotorua—January 17. . Gisborne—January 18, 19, 20. Napier—January 21. . Hastings—January 22. Wanganui—January 23, 24. 'l’auranga—January 25. Waihi —January 26, 27. Auckland—January 28, 29, 30, 31. Whangarel—February 1. Hamilton —February 2, 3. Palmerston North —February 4. 5. 6. Dannevirke-Masterton —February 7. Levin—February 8, 9. Ashburton —February 10. Christchurch —February 11, 12, 13. Tjmaru—February 14, 15. Cromwell—February 16, 17. Oamaru —February 18. Invercargill—February 19, 20. Dunedin —February 21, 22, 23. Blenheim —February 24. Wellington—February 25, 26, 27. Mr. Wilfrid Kingsford Smith said that the reports that his brother would make a night flight still persisted, and be officially denied them. He had completed arrangements with Mr. H. N. Mackay, of New Zealand Airways, for their Spartan to act as tender machine to the Southern Cross in the South Island. Squadron-Leader T. W. White will be the pilot. Mr. Kingsford Smith will leave for New. Plymouth to-morrow. CO-PILOT’S CAREER Story of Captain P. G. Taylor Co-pilot with Air-Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Captain P. G. Taylor, of Sydney, has been flying since 1916. Australian born, he joined the Royal Flying Corps in England in August, 1916, and gained his “wings” in December. He was then posted to No. 66 (Fighter) squadron, and arrived in

France in March, 1917. Three mouths later he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery in aerial combat. When the Armistice was signed he held the rank of captain. Returning to Australia, he was detailed to flying duty at Point Cook. Six months later he joined the Australian Aircraft and Engineering Company, as pilot, and continued in that capacity until the close of 1921, when he gave up flying for five years. Visittag England in 1926, he recommenced flying ajjd on his return to Australia purchased a seaplane for taxi work. Captain Taylor continued this work until he joined Australian Na-

tional Airways, Kingsford Smith’s company, as a pilot on the Brisbane-Syd-ney-Melbourne route. He has been associated with the company ever since. Mr. James Percival, the Australian passenger on the Tasman flight, is a well-known Sydney journalist, and is engaged on the “Sun.” He is bringing with him a tilm for Universal Pictures. RONGOTAI EXTENSION Work Begins on Monday Work will begin upon the extension of Rongotai aerodrome for the South-, ern Cross on Monday. The task, which is being undertaken by the reserves department, is of no great magnitude, but it will result in the extension of the available landing space at the aerodrome. There is a fence to be removed and placed in another position, a drain to be filled in, and the surface levelling | of the triangular piece of ground which will be added to the aerodrome to be attended to. These alterations are at the southern end of the aerodrome.