TASMAN FLIGHT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10476, 5 January 1928, Page 5

TASMAN FLIGHT

-AVIATORS START TO-MORROW NIGHT.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS OPPOSITION. , STILL NOT CONVINCED OF SAFETY.

(United Press Assn.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE! Jan. 4:

It is stated that the New Zealand aviators intend to remain at Richmond until the full moon and begin their flight on Friday.

Mr Coates’ cablegram to Mr Bruce read: “1 think a slight misunderstanding has occurred. The Now Zealand Government has been, advised by the chief advisory officer of the New Zea. land Air Board that the machine selected, and now in Australia, is suitable to cover the distance. The Government has indicated.to the promoters that a flying boat or an amphibian machine was considered desirable but the promoters pressed to be allow ed to attempt the flight with the machine now in Australia, and the New Zealand Government made it quite plain to Captain Knight and party that the Government did not accept any responsibility, but would not .stand in the way, and would render legitimate assistance. Letters were given accordingly, and in tlie circumstances' I should be glad if you would allow Capt. Knight and party to proceed, the position having been made quite clear to them.” Mr Bruce, in reply, said his Government had decided to concur. Ho was instructing the aviation authorities to render assistance to prepare for the flight in the event of its being attempted and also had asked the Metoreological Department to supply all possible data. He must, however, •make it clear that his Government still considered it extremely undesirable that the attempt should be made in the machine of the type proposed, and only refrained from taking steps to prevent the flight in view of tin* direct request from Mr Coates U.P. A,

TRUSTEE THANKS MR. COATES

MACHINE' CONSTRUCTED LIKE LINDBERGH S, . DANNEVI KKE, Jan. 4 . Mr. A. McNieol, trustee of the Tasman Flight Fund, states that the New Zealand airmen desire to thank Mr. Coates for* his action in securing permission for the, flight from the Australian authorities. Lieut. J. R. Aloncrieff, leader of the expedition, holds that, lie has a better chance of making the crossing by a* powerful aeroplane than by a seaplane, and this view is ' shared by Captain G. Hood. The Aotearoa was specially constructed for the Tasman flight by the Ryan Air Line, on the lines of the machine in which Colonel Chas. Lindbergh flew the Atlantic.—P.A.

SAFE LANDING AT RICHMOND. (Received Jan. 4. 7.50 p.m,) SYDNEY, Jan. 4. Tlie New Zealand fliers landed xnl'eIv a I tlie Richmond aerodrome.--rj.p.A. MACHINE BEH A.FED SPLENDIDLY.

(Received Januarv 4, 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 47 Moncricli states that the machine behaved splendidly all the way. They never luul a second's trouble witn the engine, and against a strong head wind averaged 120 miles hourly. The monoplane will be chocked aL Richmond before the ocean flight is undertn ken.—U.P. A.