TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 January 1928, Page 5

TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT

PERMISSION OBTAINED. i - • - . 11 MR. COATES’S ASSISTANCE. CONFIDENCE IN AEROPLANE, (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DANNEVIRKE, Jan. 4. Mr A. McNiool, trustee, states .that cito New Zealand airmen desire-to thank one Rt. Hon. J_ G. Coates for his action in securing pernnss.on for the mgnt from the Australian authorities. j.ieut. aioneriett, jeadeir of the expe-uit.-on, holds that lie, has. a better eiiantu of mdkmg the crossing by a a err ul aeroplane than by a seaplane, mu. tins view is shared by Captain .rood. The Aotearoa was specially constructed tor the Tasman flight by the Ryan Air Line on the lilies of the machine in which Colonel Lindbergh new across the Atlantic.

ATTEMPT MAY BE MADE ON FRIDAY. PRIME MINISTERS EXCHANGE MESSAGES. NO RESPONSIBILITY ACCEPTED. bY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received 11.35 a.m. to-day. MELBOURNE, Jan. 4. It is stated that the New Zealand aviators intend to remain at Richmond until the full mooii, and will begin their flight on Friday. Mr. Coates’s cablegram to the Rt. Hon. S. M. Bruce read: “I think that a- slight misunderstanding has occurred. The New Zealand Government has been advised: by the chief advisory, officer of the New Zealand 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 .allowed to attempt the flight with the machine now in Australia, and the New Zealand Government made it quite plain to Captain Kight and party that the Government did. hot accept any responsibility, but would not stand in the way and would render legitimate assistance. Letters were given accordingly; and in the circumstances 1 should be glad if you could allow Captain Kight and party to proceed, the position having been made quite clear to them.”

Mr. Bruce, in reply, said that his Government had decided to concur, and he was instructing the aviation authorities to render assistance to prepare for the flight in the event of its being attempted, He had also asked the Meteorological Department to supply all possible data. He must, however, make it- clear that his Government still considers rf extremely undesirable that the attempt should- be made, in a machine of the type proposed, and only refrained from taking steps to prevent the flight in view of the direct request from Mr. Co-ates.

REQUEST THAT IT SHOULD PROCEED. WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERNMENT. MELBOURNE. Jan. 3. The Federal Prime Minister, the R.t. Hon. S. M. Bruce, has received a cable from the New . Zealand Government asking that Captain Kight and party be allowed to proceed without responsibility to either Government! •Mr. Bruce indicated that the Federal Government still adhered to its view, but lie had instructed the aviation authorities to render assistance and the weather bureau to supply weather data.

MEN LEAVE MELBOURNE

DESTINATION NOT REVEALED

MELBOURNE, Jan. 3. The New Zealand fliers left Point Cook in the Ryan monoplane. It is expected they will land in Sydney, although no official statement was made as to their destination. Considerable secrecy was maintained regarding their objective. It was at first suggested the flight was a trial one. Interviewed prior to his departure, paptain Kight refused to make any statement. Under favourable conditions the monoplane should reach Sydney .in four and a half hours. SYDNEY, Jan. 3. Owing to bad weather the New Zealand aviators landed at Rongbong, near Mossvale. ,