OFF TO LONDON

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10859, 1 April 1929, Page 5

OFF TO LONDON

SOTITHERiN CROSS .BEGINS LONG 'TRIP

NO ATTEMPT TO BREAK RECORD

PURELY A BUSINESS VENTURE

United Tresa Absii. by El, Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, March 29. Squadron-Leader Kingsfovd Smith and Lieut. Ulm reported to-day that everything was in readiness for the start of tho flight of the Southern Cross from. Australia to England. Complete tests ■had been madei with the plane, and it was tentatively arranged that the fliers should hop-off for Wyndliam at 10 o’clock to-mor-row morning. (Received March 31. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. March' 31.

The Southern Cross’ pemmmff is tlie same, as tliajt. which visited New Zealand.' Several hundred people were present and gave the aninen a cordial send off. The monoplane, carrying 800 gallons of petrol, rose slowly in the heavy atmosphere, hut, once aloft, soon disappeared north-westward, accompanied for some distance by Air Force Moths. j Before .the start each man made a brief speech which was permanently recorded. , ~ ... Squadron-Loader Kingstord, Smith expressed confidence that they would win through and achieve something towards I nking up Empire air communications, The flight was purely of a business nature and no attempt at record breaking was intended. TINFORTUNATE START. A FORCED LANDING. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association. l (Received March 31, LJ pun.) SYDNEY. March 31. There is no news this afternoon ot the Southern Cross. The .latest advice from the ’plane was at 3 o clock this morning. She was expected to arrive at Wyndliam between nine and ten o’clock this morning. Later. The Southern Cross made a forced landing about one hundred and fifty miles from 'Wyndliam. WHEREABOUTS WRAPPED IN MYSTERY NO DEFINITE NEWS OF LAND= I NO United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright 'Australian Press Association ' (Received April 1, 12.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 31. The Southern Cross’ actual whereabouts is wrapped in mystery. At a late hour the only definite knowledge is that at 12.20 to-day a wireless from the plane stated that petrol was running out, and the fly= ers were coming down. It was reckoned that they were then 150 miles from Wyndham, but there was no certainty about this, and there is nothing further to throw light on how the landing was effected.