TASMAN FLIERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1928, Page 7

TASMAN FLIERS

SCENES AT CHRISTCHURCH A GREAT SEND-OFF (Special to "Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, September 28. Caught unawares when the Southern Cross arrived in Christchurch, crowds of people who missed the great event, made sure to-day of seeing the airmen leave the Wigram Aerodrome on their hop to Blenheim, prior to their departure for Australia. From shortly after 8 o’clock this morning, motor cars began to make for the drome. There was a constant stream of vehicles of every description, while special trains and trams disgorged loads of passengers. Early this morning there were already hundreds of people in the enclosure alongside the airdrome, early birds who came to catch a glimpse of the Southern Cross in its hangar. The gathering grew as tram after tram and car after car discharged their occupants. Children from many schools camo in force during the morning. Picnic lunches were in vogue, and in every odd corner where there was shelter from the wind, family parties grouped. By one o’clock the end of the ground set apart for the public was a black mass of spectators, among whom vendors of coloured balloons did a roaring trade. The great number of children present was noticeable compared with their attendance at the arrival of the Southern Cross. Broadcast music of Cadet Bands, including the kilted pipers of the St. Andrew’s College, kept the crowd entertained during the long wait.

There did not seem quite the same expectation and excitement in the gathering that there was when the Southern Cross came in from the sea. Tb-day was a much more definite occasion. Everybody had seen ‘Smithy’ and his comrades, had seen the Southern Cross, and had more or less got used to the idea of them, so the element of uncertainty was absent. Waiting to see a departure should not carry the same’ suspense as waiting for an arrival. None the less, a deep undercurrent of emotion was there, swaying the crowd in the mass and individually. Ever and again a whisper would run that the airmen had arrived or that something or another was happening, and there would be a turn of heads and a murmur of voices of the ever-growing multitude.

By two o’clock nearly 6000 cars had parked in,the various enclosures, and a steady stream of traffic was still approaching the drome when the Southern Cross was taken from its hangar. For half an,hour before the plane was scheduled to leave, crowds congregated in the streets and every vantage point was taken up. Roofs round the city were black with people. There were hundreds in Cathedral Square and all around the streets people lined up and glanced eagerly to the air, waiting for the big monoplane to put in an appearance. On the roof of the Christchurch Hospital, the nurses lined up to get a glimpse of the departing machine. In their .blue uniforms and red capes they made a picturesque sight. When at last the big machine did zoom over the city, shortly after 2.45 p.m., wild cheers went up. Tramcars and all other vehicles stopped to enable the occupants to view the plane. Business was all off in the city for the time being, and not until the plane disappeared away to the north, did the crowd break away and the trams resume their various journeys.

BLENHEIM'S WELCOME.

A FAST TRIP.

BLENHEIM, September 28.

The biggest crowd ever seen in Marlborough, numbering between seven and eight thousand, assembled this afternoon at the huge paddock on Messrs Fairhall Bros, property, about four miles from Blenheim, from which the Southern Cross is to take off on her return flight over the Tasman, to witness the arrival of the big plane from Christchurch, i The occasion saw marked interest evinced by the whole of the Marlborough public, while large numbers of visitors travelled from Nelson and Wellington, a special excursion trip being run across Cook Strait. The arrangements for the reception of the plane were undertaken by the Marlborough Aero Club, which had the hearty co-operation of the local bodies, the whole organisation being on an ambitious scale. The number of motor vehicles parked adjacent to the landing ground was without parallel in the history of the district. Intense excitement possessed the crowd when the Southern Cross, a mere speck in the sky, was first picked up. After crossing the hills, the machine flew low over Blenheim, circled round, and, still travelling at a low altitude, set a course along the main highway leading to the landing field. The plane flew the length of the field, low over the heads of the waiting throng. Then it banked steeply, and came back into the breeze and made a perfect landing, straight down the runway, rising only about one-third of the length of the mile-long track prepared for her final take off for Australia.

Cheer upon cheer burst from the enthusiastic spectators as the wheels touched the ground, at exactly sixteen minutes past four, the journey from Christchurch having taken one hour and 31 minutes.

Leader Smith taxied gently to the front of the big temporary hangar, where the visitors alighted. Aboard the monoplane were Smith, Him, Litchfield, McWilliams, Captain Buckley, and Mr. G. Cyril Johnson, of Auckland, ii friend of Smith’s. “Some pace—one thirty-five” remarked Smithy, as he climbed out of the cockpit, referring to the speed in which the journey had been made. There was no formal reception, but the crowd gave the airmen and the plane a wonderful welcome. Although strenuous efforts were required on the part of territorials and cadets, the crowd were well-controlled, and the spectators were not allowed to approach too near the machine. Some time later Major Isitt arrived in a Bristol fighter from Christchurch, and was also accorded a warm welcome by the waiting crowd. Tho weather throughout the afternoon was fine but cloudy, and a light south-east breeze which prevailed, was all in favour of the fliers. The distinguished visitors are the guests of the Aero Club Officers’ As-

sociation and the R.S.A. at a smoke I concert to-night. To-morrow will be devoted to finalising the preparations for the return flight, when the word is given; but as yet nothing definite is known as to the (time or the date of departure, which, as Flight Lieutenant' Ulm remarked, twill depend alone on the reports received from Doctor Kidson as to the weather over the Tasman Sea.

“SAFETY FIRST” URGED.

WELLINGTON, September 28

The Prime Minister, in a letter sent to Leader Kingsford Smith, assures the airmen that New Zealand will make them its guests as long as they may (remain here. Mr. Coates’ letter is as follows: “My colleagues and I wish you to understand very definitely how anxious we are that you, and your associates, should incur no undue risk in your proposed return flight across the Tasman. We wish you to know that, in our view, no consideration should outweigh that of safety in your future plane, and we will be most happy to regard you as our guests for just so long as you may feel it desirable to remain in New Zealand. Should you consider the shipment of your machine by sea, we shall be most happy to extend you every possible facility for .that purpose. Should you, on the other hand, maintain your intention of returning fry air, we wish to urge upon you that you should consider nothing except the choice of the most appropriate time, and should regard yourselves as honoured guests of the country for any length of time you may remain here.” The Prime Minister has received the following telegram from Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight Lieut. Ulm: “Sincerely regret impossibility of continuing our tour further south. Have fully informed the Internal Affairs by wire yesterday. Again many thanks to yourself and Government for the great assistance and enthusiastic welcomes received through but the Dominion.”

AUSTRALIAN ARRANGEMENTS.

(Received September 29, midday.) SYDNEY, September 29.

Aviation authorities, and many friends of the Southern Cross fliers here, who have been greatly- interested in their movements and doings in New Zealand, are now looking forward to the return flight, which is probable during the week-end. Complete arrangements have been made for landing, and every precaution is being taken.

The "weather has been delightfully settled lately, but the Meteorologist predicts squally westerlies this evening. An energetic disturbance is approaching, affecting the South Tasman Sea.

AUSTRALIAN SERVICES.

(Special to “Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, September 28.

“I tried to get ‘Smithy’ to bring me over with him from Australia,” said Sir Ben. Fuller to-day. “Frightened? Not a bit! The man’s so amazingly thorough that only Fate could preVent him from getting where he wants to.” But Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith could not bring Sir Ben Fuller across the Tasman, and he was forced to come by boat. He saw a great deal of “Smithy” during his stay in Sydney, and would have been at Sockburn to-day to see the airman off had it not been for the necessity of a train journey to Dunedin. To a reporter, to-day, Sir Ben emphasised the extraordinary benefits Australian aviation had received from the trans-Pacific flight. Everywhere there were renewed. inter-State flights, and already companies were being formed. “Planes will soon be flying in a regular service between Adelaide and Perth,” said Sir Ben. A company has been formed, the service to be subsidised by the Government. “Just before I left Sydney;” he continued, “I was asked to join in the flotation of a new company which proposed a 50-minute air service between Newcastle and Sydney. I have interested myself in this company, for I believe it will bring national benefits.”

TAUMARUNUI CLUB.

TAUMARUNUI, September 28

For some months, a number of Taumarunui citizens have been working to form a company to promote aviation here. The necessary capital has been fully subscribed ’locally, and the use of the racecourse has been granted free of charge for two and a-half years as an aerodrome. The latest type of Moth aeroplane has been ordered through Mr Douglas Mill, the De Haviland agent, for delivery subject to Majoi* Wilkes, Director of Aviation, passing the racecourse ground as suitable. Provision is made for the erection of one or more hangars on this ground, which, it is considered, could be improved to accommodate larger machines should the necessity arise. The Taumarunui project was finalised before the Southern Cross fliers left Sydney, and for some weeks the company has been waiting the passing of the ground, which has been delayed owing to the Southern Cross flight and the arrival of Sir John Salmond. The company has in view an early survey of possible other landing gronuds in the King Country, particularly in the National Park and Lake Taupo area. A qualified pilot who has had a considerable war experience is available locally, and also two qualified mechanics.

AVRO-FOKKER AGREEMENT.

LONDON, September 28

A. V. Roe has arranged with the Nederlandsche Vliegtugenfabriek, makers of the Fokker aircraft, for the manufacture and sale throughout the Empire, including Australia and New Zealand ,of triple engined Avro monoplanes, similar to tho Fokker F 7 S., which have crossed the Pacific and Atlantic, and are now flying from Holland to .Java, and elsewhere.