TASMAN FLIERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1928, Page 7

TASMAN FLIERS

TEST TRIALS AT CH. CH.

POPULAR ENTHUSIASM

(Special to "Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, September 27. A triumphal entry to Sumner was made by Squadron Leader C. Kingsford Smith and Flight Lieutenant C. T. P. Ulm this morning. The other members of the crew of the Southern Cross (H. A. Litchfield and T. H. McWilliams) were unable to attend. The Mayor of Christchurch (Rev. J. K. Archer), with the Mayoress, Town Clerk (J. S. Neville), and P. R. Climie Went to the Borough with the airmen.

The party were greeted by Mr. W. H. Nicholson, Mayoi’ of Sumner. Waving, flags, cheers, and cries of greeting met the airmen as they left their cars, and mounted to the Cave Rock band rotunda. All Sumner, was there, with the school children, who were the main portion of the assembly, in front of the packed mass of their elders. Cheering followed every speech. The enthusiasm continued to mount, and delighted comment -was made when it was seen the airmen had taken charge of a small girl, who was on the platform, Ulm taking her on "his knee and making much of her to her evident delight. A welcome, on behalf of the schools of the Borough, was expressed by Mr. G. F. Allen. He said that every child appreciated the heroic flight. He referred to the tragedy of Moncrieff and Hood’s first , attempt in crossing by air.

A scroll, bearing the signatures of pupils at the Sumner District High School, and of the School for the Deaf, was presented to Kingsford Smith by a school girl, and a bunch of Australian boronia from the pupils of the Redcliffs School, whose signature scroll has not yet been prepared, but will be forwarded on to the airmen as soon as possible. Two tiny model aeroplanes, made by school children of the Borough, were also presented, and a black cat mascot from the School for the Deaf. Mr. J. M. B. Crawford, Director of the School for the Deaf, also briefly welcomed the airmen. One of his pupils read a short address to them.

If the periodic applause had been great before, it rose to its peak when Kingsford Smith got up to reply. He waited for some time till there was a lull, then told the gathering how honoured and and dFlight Lieutenant Ulm felt to be present. They liked to be with them, because they liked kiddies. He, personally, thanked the children for the gift of their signatures. It was quite a change to receive signatures instead of having to give them. They would take the scrolls back to Australia with them. Finally, he commented on the fine-looking appearance of the children, and made the traditional request for a holiday, which was granted amid sounds of loud rejoicing. “Good morning, kids,” began Ulm. “We are very glad of the opportunity to come to see you all. Hello, where did you get that black eye?” His finger singled out a delighted small boy, whose face bore the mark referred to. “I wonder what the other fellow looked like,” chuckled Ulm. Then his voice was lost in a gale of laughter. “Thank you all very much,” he finished, and sat down, with a wave of the hand. After the official reception, the party went to the tea rooms and had morning tea, stopping only a few minutes, however, before coming back to the city. Kingsford Smith drove his own car, and on the way back there was an amusing incident, with a butcher. Kingsford Smith never wastes time when he drives, but rounding one of the spurs just' outside Sumner, the butcher, mounted on a large motor cycle that bore a fluttering Union Jack, came alongside the line of three cars that carried the party, waved a hand to the Squadron Leader, forged ahead beckoning him to follow, and presumably have a race. If the road had been clear, it is hard to say what might have happened. In the circumstances, however, the butcher was left to enjoy his hollow victory. He was eventually passed as he was turning his machine up Mount Pleasant Road ,and he waved again.

FLIGHT OVER CITY. The streets of Christchurch were lined with thousands of upturned faces shortly after 2.30 o’clock this afternoon, when the Southern Cross, piloted by Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith, made a test flight over the city. .With Kingsford Smith in the pilot’s cockpit, Captain J. L. Findlay, officer commanding the Wigram Airdrome, in the cabin. Flight Lieutenant Ulm, and Captain M. Buckley left a few minutes later in an Avro. A suggestion that packets of cigarettes should be dropped when over Cashmere Sanatoria, was not carried out. There was a big crowd of people at the airdrome watching the preparations for the flight, including the Mayor of Christchurch and Mrs. Archer. A small army of mechanics were at work for a long time in getting the huge monoplane out of the hangar in readiness for the flight. Under the control of Captain J. Findlay, the men eventually got the big machine out, and roped off, their work being watched by an ever-growing crowd of people. Captain Findlay and the mechanic went into the cockpit of the Southern Cross, and started up the three motors about 2 p.m., hut the flyers themselves had not then arrived.

Tlio ’plane took off just before 2.30. IL made a climbing turn and headed towards the city. When the plane’s big engines were heard roaring over the city, there' was a general rush from the front doors of premises. Of-fice-girls, butchers in aprons, waitresses rushed out, lifted their heads towarsd the clouds. Windows were flung up and heads poked out of them. With necks craned, the occupants of rooms twisted and turned in the endeavour to get a glimpse of the great monoplane, all looking up. Tramcars and other vehicles stopped, while their occupants got out and looked at the machine flying at a very low altitude. The Southern Cross circled frver the city once or twice, and the people in the streets had a good opportunity of seeing her. The 'plane then put about and headed for the Wigram Airdrome, but not until she had disappeared completely from sight did the crowds melt away and the windows go down with a. crash. The Southern Cross, after circling low over the city for a. quarter of an hour, then returned to the 'drome, followed by the Avro. The Southern Cross took off into the

air again about ten minutes after landing. This time the Mayor of Christchurch, J. S. Neville, and Mrs. Neville were included among the passensors. The patients at the consumptive military sanatoria were overjoyed at their first glimpse of the Southern Cross. For some time prior to its arrival, patients watched expectantly from the various vantage spots on the hills. As the big machine appeared swooping low, the excitement ran high. Cheers followed it as it circled back towards th# city. The school children of Christchurch will get a whole holiday to-morrow, if the Southern Cross takes off for Blenheim.

CITIZENS’ PRESENTATIONS

(Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, September 27

A Citizens’ Ball in honour of the fliers was held to-night and was a splendid success. The ceremony of presenting parting gifts from the city was preceded by an effective piece of stage craft. At one end of the hall was a representation of Australia, and at the other one of New Zealand, and on a wire between ran an aeroplane to the accompaniment of stage thunder and such storm noises. The citizens’ testimonial cheque was presented. The amount was not disclosed as the collection is not yet complete. Lady Wigram. on behalf of the Aero Club, presented each of the four with greenstone and gold sleeve links, the gift of the Canterbury Aero Club. The City’s gift included four handsomely bound albums of views, containing a series of pictures of the landing of the Southern Cross. A Maori cloak, the gift of a woman aged 101 who prefers anonymity, was presented to Kingsford Smith. The airmen themselves presented Captain Findlay with a book of views in appreciation of kindness shown by him and the members of the Air Force.

A gift to each of the airmen was made this evening by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association, each man being presented with a greenstone paper weight on which was a map in gold of Australia and New Zealand, with a line between the two countries, representing the route taken by the Southern Cross.

FLIGHT-LIEUT. ULM’S REVIEW.

(Copyright P.A.)

WELLINGTON, September 28. Flight-Lieutenant Ulm telegraphed as follows to the Press Association: — “Unfortunately, we will be unable , to accede to many requests to go further south to Timaru, Oamaru, and Dunedin, as previosuly planned. Everywhere we have visited in New Zealand we have been received most enthusiastically, and it is indeed pleasing to find that our flight has stimulated a tremendous amount of public interest in aviation throughout the Dominion. Prior to our arrival, there was practically no civic aviation activity in New ‘Zealand, but we are happy to know that our flight has been the cause of seven or eight Aero Clubs being formed, and the public are now practically clamouring "for the establishment of regular air services in tflie Dominion. Blenheim is practically enthusiastic, and has prepared a magnificent taking-off ground for our return flight to Australia. Nearly six thousand feet of runway into the prevailing wind is now ready, and enthusiastic residents are completing the erection of a temporary hangar to house the Southern Cross in case of our being delayed by unfavourable weather reports. “Dr Kidson, the Government meteorologist, will arrive in Christchurch this morning to spend a day with us in discussing the meteorological aspects of the forthcoming return flight. His help throughout has been invaluable. “Under Mr McWilliams’s supervision the radio equipment has been repaired, and will be tested in tile air to-day, provided these compass tests are satisfactory. We hope to leave for Blenheim this afternoon, where we will fuel the machine and await favourable weather reports. It is practically certain that we will have head winds travelling at about twenty-five miles per hour throughout the whole of fhe. return flight, and therefore it may take anything from eighteen to twenty-four hours. Subject to the weather, we will leave Blenheim between one and six a.m., and therefore cannot at present give even the approximate time of our. arrival at the Richmond aerodrome, but as it is almost certain that we will arrive at Richmond after dark we are cabling, asking that lighting facilities | in the way of flood lights, etc., be prepared. We are also asking that, if possible, searchlights be played at both Sydney, Newcastle, Bulli, and Wollongong, and also that they should have distinguishing lights when we are coming over. “Dr Kidson informs us that there is a probability of an anti-cyclone existing on the. eastern coast of Australia, and that it is possible that within the next week wo may have conditions favourable enough to warrant our taking off, but we would ask tflie, public to bear in mind that we may he delayed for two or three weeks, as we are sticking to safety first, and definitely will not leave until fair average conditions prevail. “The hail through which we flew coming over tore a good deal of 11m protective paint covering on the leading edge of our wings, but this has since been reconditioned by the Air Force here, and by to-day we will be satisfied that the good old Southern Cross is in as good a condition as when we left. After our tests and after our consultation with Dr Kidson, we will communicate again, and hope to give you more definite news regarding our projected departure. “The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and Lady Fergusson, have been very kind in asking us to spend as many days as we can in seclusion and rest at Government House in Wellington prior to our departure, and we will avail ourselves of this kind invitation should unfavourable weather conditions hold us up for a few days at Blenheim, as throughout our tour we

have attended innumerable functions in our honour, ami we are now really physically tired.”

ALL READY FOR START

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 28.

All is in readiness at Sockburn for the departure of the Southern Cross for Blenheim at 2.30. The machine is is perfect order. Big crowds have already assembled to farewell the aviators. Sir John Salmond, British Air Chief, will attend as well as Sir H. Rhodes.

At 2 p.m.: Sir Henry Wigram will turn the first sod in connection with placing in position of a stone slab that is to mark the spot at which the Southern Cross landed on completion of her Tasman flight. The aviators will assist at this function.

INSCRIPTION ON SLAB

(Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 28.

Following is the inscription on the slab laid at Wigram Aerodrome to mark the spot where the Southern Cross landed: "Here the Southern Cross first touched New Zealand soil, after the pioneer aeroplane flight across the Tasman Sea. Sept. 11, 1928.” Then follow the names of the four airmen, and the words: “They came on the wings of the morning.” This stone was laid by Sir Henry Wigram. “THEY’RE OFF!” CHRISTCHURCH, September 28. The Southern Cross left for Blenheim at 2.44 p.m. RADIO TEST SATISFACTORY. CHRISTCHURCH, September 27.

For the first, time since its arrival, the Southern Cross was in the air today. Smith made three flights—two short ones over the city, and a longer one northward Of about an hour, during which every appliance on the machine was subjected to a rigorous test. Captain Findlay was with Smith in the cockpit. In the cabin were Dr Kidson (Government Meteorologist) and four other passengers.

After the final testing flight, Smith announced to the press that the radio,\ which had ben thoroughly tested on the long flight, was one hundred per cent, efficient, and everything else was highly satisfactory. Consequently the departure for Blenheim will be made on Friday at two o’clock. All arrangements are complete for a public farewell to-morrow. A crowd as big as that present at the arrival is expected, and traffic difficulties are feared. In addition to the farewell speeches, there are to be presentations from the citizens to 1 the Southern Cross crew.

Sir Henry Wigram will lay the commemoration slab to mark the spot where the Southern Cross first touched New Zealand soil. Smith received another mascot today—a gold fern leaf, inscribed “Te Hunga Waiata,” presented by Mi’ A. C. Hill, of Christchurch, and formerly of the West Coast. Mr Hill expressed the wish that Smith would wear it as a mascot on his future flights. Smith promised to wear it on his return Tasman flight. McWilliams, the radio operator on the Southern Cross, was the guest of the Radio Society of Christchurch and the Third District Transmitters’ Association this afternoon. McWilliams was presented with a silver cigarette case, engraved with tiny maps of Australia and New Zealand, with an aeroplane in’flight between. The plane’s call sign was also inscribed on the case.

EX-COASTER’S GIFT

(Special to “Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 28

A recent caller on Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith was Mrs. A. C. Hill, of Cambridge Terrace, and formerly a West Coaster. She presented the aviators with a gold fern leaf which which bore the inscription. “Te Hunga Waiata” (“The song of the people”). The leaf was made from gold found on the West Coast. Mrs. Hill thought that as the Coast was the first part of land the aviators saw in the Tasman flight, it would be appropriate to give this token. She expressed the hope that it would be a lucky mascot for the return flight and other future flights of the Southern Cross. The airman was delighted with the gift, and in thanking Mrs. Hill he said he would wear the gold fern on the return journey to Australia. KIWIS AS MASCOTS. (Special to "Star.") AUCKLAND, September 28. All four crew of the Southern Cross are to have miniature leather Kiwis, similar to that presented to SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith, when he left Auckland on Sunday. He was so delighted with the little mascot that he expressed a desire that the three companions should be similarly favoured, The maker, H. Goodes, a skilled leather dresser of Onehunga, immediately consented to reproduce the first gift and three more Kiwis are being sent through the Auckland Aero Club to the airmen in Christchurch. On one side of the Kiwis is marked a map of Australia and New Zealand, and the course of the Southern Cross over the Tasman Sea and on the other, the names of the four airmen. Each Kiwi stands about four inches high, and is a beautiful example of the leather worker’s art.

According to the “Sun” (Sydney), Mr Harold Litchfield, navigator of the Southern Cross, is to be married soon after the return of the flyers to Sydney. His fiancee, to whom he recently became engaged, is Miss Rina Holdsworth, who is described as a brownhaired, grey-eyed girl, whom he has known for two years. Miss Holdsworth has not been in the air, and at present has no desire to fly, but is an enthusiastic motorist.

GREYMOUTH’S PROSPECTS NEED FOR LANDING PLACE The subject of a landing place for aeroplanes at Greymouth was revived by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Greenslade) at last evening’s meeting of the Borough Council, and he explained that matters were now held up, owing to the non-receipt of Captain M. Buckley’s report on the'inspection of likely landing places recently made by him. Cr. R. J. Williams had been the first Io realise what might eventuate will) regard to commercial flying. Greymouth was two hours closer to Australia than other parts of N.Z., but it i was not possible to invite the Southern Cross fliers, owing to lack of a suitable landing place. The matter had

not been taken up by the citizens to any extent, despite the fact that a letter had appeared in the "Star,” suggesting that an Aviation Club be formed. He was waiting for a lead from the public, before convening a meeting regarding the matter. In the meantime, he moved that Captain Buckley be asked to reply as soon as possible as to whether he regarded the piece of land he inspected near the beach as suitable. The Council could then secure information as to the cost of putting the ground in order. In seconding the resolution, Cr. F. A. Kitchingham pointed out that Captain Buckley was commissioned by the Minister of Internal Affairs to make his inspection, and would have to report to the Minister. He had expected that the report would take considerable time to filtrate through the official channels, but it should now be available. “Greymouth should be the centre of aviation on the Coast, as it is the centre of practically everything else,” added Cr. Kitchingham. Cr. T. B. Baty sounded a note of caution. He did not think it was advisable for any district to go to any great expense regarding landinggrounds. The auto-gyro seemed likely to revolutionise flying, and to do away with landing grounds as they were known to-day. The auto-gyro could land almost anywhere. ‘

The Mayor: At any rate, we must have some place, and at the present time we have nothing at all. Cr. J. B. Kent said the expense Should not be borne solely by the Council. It should be a national matter or one for the co-operation of other local bodies.

The Mayor: That is the idea. It must be a district affair. The Engineers of the other local bodies were to confer with the Borough Engineer. Cr. Kent: The resolution will help to keep our claims before the Government.

The Mayor said that the matter should not be delayed too long. Greymouth had “missed the bus” to a certain extent, so far. Great strides w'ere being made in commercial aviation, and other parts of New Zealand would be reaping the benefits. The resolution was carried.

Looking into the future, the Mayor remarked that, if the proposed landing ground near the beach were formed, lie could see a “beautiful esplanade” •as a consequence.

TRANS-ATLANTIC AND RETURN.

NEW YORK, September 27.

Mrs Miller, Captain Lancaster, and Captain Lyon (Pacific flier) upon their arrival from London, told the Australian Press Association that they were planning to fly next year from Los Angeles to London, and to return via New York, where they will make one stop at each trip. Their machine is now under construction. It is a trimotored all-metal’ monoplane of conventional design, with the exception of the forward motor, which is of fourhundred horse-power, while the wing motors are of two hundred . horsepower each. The Radio Corporation of America is preparing the’ radio equipment. Captain Lyon will be in command, and Captain Lancaster and Mrs Miller will assist. The plane will fly the flags of England, Australia, and America.

The fliers expressed great admiration for Kingsford Smith, due to his flight from Australia to New Zealand.

“MOTH” ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

ST. JOHNS (Newfoundland), September 27.

Flight Commander MacDonald has arrived here from England, bringing a Moth plane, in which he proposes to attempt a solo flight across the Atlantic.