SOUTHERN CROSS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 149, 20 March 1933, Page 10

SOUTHERN CROSS

Many Passengers Carried VISIT TO WELLINGTON Exhibition on Saturday WEATHER INTERVENES Scores of people of all-ages saw Wellington from- he. cabin windows .of the Southern Cross during the week-end. ’ Throughout Saturday afternoon, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was kept busy, but the high gusty wind prevailing at Rongotai yesterday led him to a decision that it would be unwise to continue flying after a few flights had been made. The wind blew almost straight down the short direction of the aerodrome yesterday, and the air conditions were bumpy. When Sir Charles decided not to fly, it was hoped that the wind might veer or the conditions improve in time for the afternoon programme, but at two o’clock there was no moderation, and Sir Charles decided pot to do any further flying. Many People Disappointed. Some hundreds of people were on the aerodrome during the day, and a large number of these had intended making flights in the big monoplane. For many of them this, was to have been their first flight, and had been eagerly looked forward to, so that their disappointment at being unable to fly in the Southern Cross was great. On the other hand, however, Sir Charles lost heavily as the result of his decision, which was undoubtedly a wise one.

Thick low flying clouds and a shower of rain compelled the abandonment of the Aero Club’s flying display that was to have been held in the afternoon, although a little flying was done before the rain came on.

When flying became impossible, a start was made with the preparations for the Southern Cross’s Tasman flight. The installation of the soundproof rajlio cabin was begun, and some of the staff engaged on an overhaul of one of the Wright Whirlwind engines. Among those who made flights in the Southern Cross were the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Finance, and the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, who visited Rongotai yesterday morning, and Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., who had his trip on Saturday afternoon.

The flying display of the Wellington Aero Club on Saturday afternoon was a most enjoyable one. The first Item was a formation flight by the Wellington Aero Club, the pilots being Messrs. C. M. Duthie, M. K. Archibald, and S. R. Meatchem. The varying formations, and Prince of Wales Feathers break-up, re-formation, and the landing in formation were watched with interest by a large crowd. There was also a display of aerobatics, and of bombing the car, and a gliding exhibition by Mr, C. C. Waite, the club captain. Spectacular Items.

• The two most spectacular items came later in the programme. FlightLieutenant G. B. Bolt and Mr. Waite engaged in a mock aerial combat, in which Flight-Lieutenant Bolt was shot down, apparently in flames. More than one woman gasped as she saw smoke start to trail from the machine and which began to descend, the pilot making attempts at recovery before “crashing.” Following this, FlightLieutenant Bolt gave an exhibition of “crazy flying” that greatly excited the spectators. The exhibition was a caricature upon the instructions of pupils, and he skidded wildly across the aerodrome from the take-off, did low circuits, and then bumped on his wheels, first one and then on the other, and rocked from side to side in his landings in a manner that would have driven the most stoic instructor crazy. The programme for the Southern Cross for to-day is a flight to the Marlborough Sounds and back. This trip is being undertaken in connection with the competition for calculating the time for the trans-Tasman trip, and the take-off from Rongotai is timed for 10.30 a.m. Sir dharles is to leave for Dannevirke to-morrow.