NEW ZEALAND TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 13 September 1928, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND TOUR

FLYERS' ITINERARY WELLINGTON DATES (By Tolegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") CHRISTCHUKCII, This Day. Arrangements were completed yesterday afternoon by Squadron Leader Kingston! Smith and .Flight Lieutenant Ulm, after consultation with Mr. D. Ardell, of the department of Internal Affairs, for the itinerary of the airmen on their tour of New Zealand. Major T. M. Wilkes and Captain J. L. Piudlay, representing the New Zealand Air Force, were also present and supplied plans and information regarding the various landing places. It was definitely decided that the Southern Cross would not bo taken on the tour, but the airmen have accepted the Government's offer of the use of threi airplanes. The flyers expressed their desire to see the four main centres in addition to any other centre that is interested in aeronautics. The airmen are particularly keen to boost aviation and that is the reason they will spend a night in Blenheim during their northern tour, as an aero club has recently been formed there. With this object in visw they propose to leave Christchurch on Friday next at about 3 p.m. and to travel to Blenheim, where they will spend the night. The following morning they will take off and after a forty minutes' run will arrive at Trentham at approximately 10.30 o'clock. The airmen will spend Sunday and Monday in Wellington, and on Tuesday, 18th September, they will take their departure for Auckland, where they will arrive some time in the afternoon. Wednesday will be spent in Auckland, and on Thursday they will leave for Kotorua. The flyers will return to Auckland on Saturday, 22nd September. The following day they will leave Auckland and will arrive back at Sockburn on Monday, 2ith September. It is anticipated that the party on its return from the northern tour will take the opportunity during the ensuing week of flying to Dunedin, and, if possible, to include Invercargill. The flyers are particularly desirous of being in Christehurch for the few days preceding the proposed departure for Sydney on Sunday, 30th September, which day Navigator Litchneld indicates is the best, as the moon will then be at the full. "Flight-commander Kingsford Smith explained that his 'piano is not equipped with brakes, which are usual to that type of machine used, for commercial aud similar purposes," said Mr. Ardell to a "Press" reporter. ''There is also the factor that the other centres have not yet established landing grounds sufficient in size, and therefore while the flyers feel desirous of taking the Southern Cross round New Zealand, so that people in general may view the airplane, they feel that the risk that would be entailed is not warranted. In addition every flight sim ilar to that of crossing the Tasinan necessitated a certain amount of overhauling for the 'plane. "After viewing the Southern Cross yesterday afternoon in company with Major Wilkes and Captain Findlay, the airmen definitely decided not to take it on their tour. Major Wilkes showed the plans of the landing grounds at Auckland and Wellington to the air.meu, but after duo consideration of the general landing places, together with the factor of the prevailing winds, the airmen adhered to their decision. OFFER APPRECIATED. "The flyers expressed the wish to fly on their tour, and to meet those wishes the Hon. Mr. Rolleston, Minister of Defence, with the consent of the Prime Minister, has approved that three Bristol fighters be placed at their disposal. Flight-Commander Kingsford Smith was particularly appreciative of the Government's offer, which he accepted," added Mr. Ardell. "Captains Findlay and Buckley will act as escorts. It will probably be arranged that Kingsford Smith and Ulm will occupy one 'plane, . Captain Findlay and Mr. Litchfield the second, and Captain Buckley and Mr. M'Williams the third." With reference to the return flight across the Tasinan, Mr. Ardell stated ! that after very serious deliberation yesterday afternoon by the whole party, it was decided -that the Southern Cross should made the trip by daylight. There would be an hour and a half of extra daylight, and Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith was rather inclined to the opinion that ho will return by daylight. He stated that even if they did

not land in daylight at, Kichmond •lerodromo lie had every confidence that die facilities there would enable him to make a night landing. As with llic flight to New Zealand, the airmen proposed to bo guided by the weather conditions about the last day of tho month. Both commanders of tho Southern Cross expressed their high appreciation of the services rendered to them by Dr. Kidson and his assistant Mr. Pomberton, and that if they O.K. tho 30th they will hop off on that day.