TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 19919, 16 July 1928, Page 9

TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT

WIRELESS OPERATOR HEW ZEALANDER APPOINTED Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, July 15. Mr Ulm announced that Mr T. JEI. M'Williams, superintendent of the Union Steam Ship Company’s Wireless School in New Zealand, has been selected as wireless operator for the flight to New Zealand, and he has been advised to leave for Sydney by the Aorangi on Monday. The aviators have also decided to land at Christchurch, at the Wigram Aerodrome, as it is the most suitable lauding place. So far the date of departure has not been decided.

ER traiLLlfiKS'S CAREER

[Special to the ‘ Stab.'] WELLINGTON, July 1G

Responding to the invitation of Captain Kingston! Smith to the New Zealand Government that it should select the radio operator to complete the flight crew for the trans-Tasman (light, the defence authorities advised the Government to appoint Mr T. H. M‘Williams, a Wellington radio expert, who has been superintendent of the Union Steam Ship Company’s wireless school for several years. This was approved by Cabinet, and the decision cabled to Captain Kingsford Smith. The latter’s approval was immediately indicated, arriving at midnight on Saturday, and as the operator is required as soon as possible to take part in the preliminary tests, Mr M‘Williams was able to make hurried preparations, catching Sunday night’s Limited Express for Auckland, where he will join the Aorangi for Sydney. The New Zealander who will take part in this historic effort is a young Wellingtonian, single, and an enthusiast in wireless operating. He was a member of the New Zealand .Expeditionary Force, serving in Egypt and France, and was wounded seriously in the ankle at Armontieres, spending a long time m hospital. However, he is now wholly fit,. and very keen over the coming adventure. Though ho holds the .opinion that there is not much risk Sver it where so competent a leader is concerned, the preparations are the important factor, and nothing will bo left to chance. “That is why I have to get a wav to Australia promptly,” he remarked to your correspondent. “Everything is being thoroughly overhauled’, and the wireless gear is _ receiving the same complete attention. It will bo mv job to take trial flights and make tests of this gear under flight conditions.” 'Mr M‘Williams was formerly on the staff of the , Amalgamated Wireless Company, and he has been radio operator on a number of the Union Company’s ships prior to undertaking the training of the wireless men of that fleet. His aviation experience is so far confined to one flight in 1922 at San Francisco. The ’plane Southern Cross carries a short wave radio apparatus, and Mr M‘Williams, who is an enthusiast in this form of communication, told your correspondent that he followed the messages from the ’plane all the way over the Pacific. It had been Suggested that some improvements were being made in the sending apparatus on the ’plane, but Mr McWilliams is of the opinion, by results, that it is very efficient now, and that New Zealand stations will-have mo difficulty in picking up the messages. They will bo decoded from Morse, and repeated over the broadcasting service with, no doubt, an occasional opportunity of IAO'-ninn; in to the actual Morse messages from the air.