START OF JOURNEY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 15 September 1928, Page 10

START OF JOURNEY

HUGE CROWD GATHERS (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The. Evening Post.") CHKISTCHUECIL This Day. The first !stage in the round New Zealand trip of Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant XJlm and their associates (Messrs. M'Williams andLitchfield) was begun yesterday afternoon, when- three Bristol airplanes took off from Sockbiirn on their way to Blenheim. The- dual-control Bristol was piloted by Squadron-Leader Kingsford. Smith and with him was Might-Lieutenant1 UJin. Another Bristol was piloted by -Captain Findl.-iy and his passenger was the navigator, Mr. Litchfield.' Captain Buekley took the third with the wireless operator, Mr. M'Williams. Another enthusiastic demonstration took place when-the crow ■o£ the Southern Cross endeavoured to leave the United Service rHotel in order to proceed to the Wigram aerodrome. They attempted.to,reach their motorcar at 1.45 p.m., but a vast crowd obstructed their way. Finally the police cleared a. passage way ■ for them and amid much cheering;they boarded the waiting cars. The huge crowd made it difficult for the- cars to proceed, and finally the'police had to clear a passage way for the airmen. Their departure from the Square'was no less enthusiastic than their arrival, the crowd numbering thousands. A crowd of about 350 was present at the aerodrome. The three Bristol fighters were, lined, up outside the. hangars with the Australian flyers' machine nearest the • crowd. On appearing, the airmen were given a wonderful reception. They posed for an army of camera men, and then quickly hopped into their airplanes. To the accompaniment of cheers, the thTee machines taxied down the field, rose beautifully, and disappeared in the direction of the city. Captain Findlay's machine took off first at 2.28 p.m. and led the formation, Kingsford Smith following him. ' The crowd would have been greatly increased in numbers had the airplanes delayed their departure till' 3 p.m.— the advertised time. ■ Because it was expected that the head wind would slow up the flight a little an early start was made. Cars.were then still streaming towards the aerodrome.