"GOOD-BYE, AUSTRALIA!"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1926, Page 9

"GOOD-BYE, AUSTRALIA!"

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evenlno Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

On the eve of Ms departure for Britain, Cobham bade farewell to the people of Australia from the Melbourne wireless station 3LO. Last evening the intrepid airman spobo almost jauntily of the hazardous return trip, and doubtless his cheerful remarks aroused in the mind? of New Zealand listeners the desire to see him in the flesh, as well as hear him. Cobham urged Australians, and his remarks applied equally to New Zealanders, to realise fully the tremendous importance of aviation, both for commercial and defence purposes, and hoped his "flying" visit would have good results. Excitement in tho aviator's voice became noticeable as ho spoke of the return trip; "If I can get back to England in the same machine with the same engine, I shall havo accomplished what no man. has yet done."

"Support your local flying club," the aviator told listeners-in. "Thes'o clubs will eventually prove the backbone of flying in Australia, and they need plenty of practical support. You know this flying game is not difficult. It is just like a youngster flying a kite. The aeroplane 13 exactly the same, only the engine takes the place of the string. All you need the engine for after you have left the ground is to fly level. Really, you can learn to fly in about two 02" three hours."

Cobharn then' gave a few facts about the trip. Ho will leave Melbourne for Adelaide, then fly over Australia to Darwin before bridging the Indian Ocean. Whilo passing over Central Australia he intends to take photographs and obtain information to show that it is not such a bad place as it was made out to be. "I want to get back to England quickly. Many people have asked mo why I did not bring my wife and kiddie, and I think I will have to do so when I come again. This moans a bigger machine when I return, probably next year. I will say, 'Good-bye, Australia.' ". '