SMITH’S FEAT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 June 1928, Page 9

SMITH’S FEAT

PERFECT TRANS=OCEAN TRIP. VALUE OF RADIO EQUIPMENT. THE HOP TO SUVA. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Received 1.5 p.m. to-day. HONOLULU, June 1. The flight of the Southern Cross from Oakland to Honolulu was perhaps the most perfect trans-ocean flight ever achieved. The fliers were constantly in communication with ships and the shore, and the ’plane was never a great deal off the course. Some anxiety was caused a few hours before landing, when a dead battery prevented the receiving set. from working, with the result that they were unable to check their bearings by radio, but the sending set was not aifected. Captain Smith plans to fly to the Barking Sands field at Kauai to-morrow to take off for Suva on Sunday as scheduled. The Southern Cross was met off Oahu shore by a dozen army ’pianes and escorted to Wheeler field, where it mlade a perfect landing directly in front of the reviewing stand, where Governor Farrington greeted the airman.

PREPARATIONS AT SUVA. Received 11.55 a.m to-day. SUVA, June 2. The council is preparing Albert Park for the landing of Captain Smith. The necessary trees are being cut down and telegraph and electric wires removed.