SOUTHERN CROSS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1928, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

SYDNEY-PERTH FLIGHT

PREMATURE ARRIVAL

(Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, August 12.

The ’plane Southern Cross, left Point Cook, Melbourne, at noon yesterday, for Perth. She passed through a heavy rainstorm during the night, but at two o’clock this morning she was going well.

While the storm was at its worst, the ’plane had to fly blind for a time, but the latest wireless to the Sydney “Sun" reported: “All well, but cold.”

(Recd. August 13, 10.15 a.m.) PERTH, August 13.

The Southern Cross’s Landing at Maylands Aedrodrome on Sunday morning was remarkable for the fact that only one person was present, namely, an aerodrome official, Seale, who had marked the landing spot by laying down two huge sheets, which enabled the aviators to make a fine landing on the waterlogged flat. “How do you do, everybody,” remarked Squadron Leader KingsfordSmith, when he was greeted cordially by the enthusiastic Mr Seale, who hastened to explain that nobody ex-i pected the aviators, who were two and a-half hours before the scheduled hour of arrival. Smith cheerily answered: ‘ ‘lt is better to be here early than not at all.” News of their arrival spread like wildfire. Cars filled with people were soon swarming over the enclosure. Mr H. Millington, Minister of Agriculture, welcomed the aviators on behalf of the Government, and apologised for the lateness, which was due to confusion in the times, somebody in authority having failed to realise that Perth time was two hours different from Melbourne time. . . The airmen were worn and tired. Litchfield and McWilliams were cramped and unable to stand after alighting from the cockpit, but soon recovered and faced the photographers. They gathered up their own luggage and were driven to the Palace Hotel, where Litchfield and McWililams went straight to bed. k . The aviators will be entertained by civic and other authorities to-day, tomorrow and Wednesday. The return journey to Adelaide will begin next Saturday or Sunday. The approximate distance between Melbourne and Perth is 2000 air miles, which was accomplished in 23 hours 24 minutes. It was. the first-non-stop flight across the Commonwealth. It is regarded as one of the finest feats of aviation, inoreso as the aviators encountered a head wind, and were never more than five minutes without. rain. Smith and Ulm pav warm tributes to Litchfield and McWilliams.

WARNER’S LOST PARENT

SAN FRANCISCO, August 10.

A three-word telegram has announced that the father ofi James Warner (the Pacific flier), who has been supposed to be dead thirty years, still lives. Captain Kingsford Smith s companion, Jimmy Warner, recently received a letter, which was signed “Charles Warner,” and Was as follow: “Please come and see me. I am ill. I think I am your father.” . j Jafnes Warner' hurriedly visited Oregon, and he found his parent, who 30 years ago had .quarrelled with his wife and had left her, and her five children who were placed in Kansas Orphan Asylum

NOBILE’S POLAR REPORT

(.United Service.) *

ROME, August 10.

General Nobile has informed Signor Mussolini that all of’the scientific observations made on the Italia s first journey, and many of the notations secured during the fatal flight, have been preserved. . General Nobile said that his injuries had possibly saved the lives ot others of the party, because otherwise all of them would have set out afoot, like Malmgren and his companions, thus minimising the possibility of sending any wireless- messages. . , General Nobile has improved in health. '■

DEFENCE OF LONDON.

LONDON, August 12

Three hundred aeroplanes are participating in the coming week’s night manoeuvres bombing attack on London defences.