SOUTHERN CROSS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 August 1928, Page 7

SOUTHERN CROSS

PERTH SAFELY REACHED.

EEFORE SCHEDULE TIME. FLIGHT J; ROM MELBOURNE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association ) SYDNEY, Aug. 12, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith’s aeroplane, the Southern Cross, which left Point Cook, Melbourne, at noon yesterday for Perth, passed through a heavy rainstorm during, the night- hut a.t 2 o’dluclk this morning: was going well. While the storm was- at its height the ’plane bad to fly blind for a time, but a later wireless message to the Sydney “Sun” reported: “All well, but cold. The Southern Gross arrived a.t Perth at 9.15 o’clock- this morning.

ITNE'XPECTE.D ARRIYAL

NOBODY TO WELCOME AVIATORS

Received 10.25 a,m. to-day. PERTH, Aug. 13. The landing of the Southern Cross at Maylnnd’s aerodrome on Sunday morning was remarkable for the fact that only one person was present, namekv, an uprodram© official named Seale,' who had marked the landing spot 'bv laying down two- huge sheets, which enabled the aviators to make a fine landing on a waterlogged flat. “How do you do. everybody, remarked Squadron ! Loader Ivmgsfoi'd Smith, when he was greeted cordially bv the enthusiastic Seale, who hastened to explain that nobody expected the aviators who were two and a nail hours before the scheduled hour of arrival. The aviator cheerfully answered: “It iw better to be here early than not at ‘ The news of their arrival spread like wildfire, and car.s filled with- people were soon .swarming over the enclosure. The Hon. H. Millington, Minister of Agriculture, welcomed the- aviators on behalf of the Government, and apologised for his lateness, which was due to confusion in times, somebody in authority having failed to realised that at Perth, there was two hours difference from Melbourne time. The airmen were worn and tured, amt Litchfield (navigator) and MoWili.mms (wireless operator) were ctamjiedi and unable to stand after alighting from the cockpit. b.ut soon recovered and f a ced the photographers. They gathered. up their own luggage and were driven to the. Palace Hotel, "'here Litchfield and McWilliams went straight to bed. . The aviators will be entertained, by the civic, and other authorities to-day, to-morrow and Wednesday. Th.e return journey to Adelaide will begin next Saturday or Sunday.

FIRST NON-STOP FLIGHT ACROSS AUSTRALIA. FINE FEAT OF AVIATION. 4DVERSE WEATHER. CONDITIONS. Received 11.40 a.in. to-day. PERTH, Aug. 13. The approximate distance between Melbourne and Perth is 2000 air miles, which was accomplished in 2d hours 24 minutes. It was the first non-stop flight across the Commonwealth .and it is regarded as one of the finest feats of aviation, more so as. the aviators encountered, a head wind and were never more than five minutes without rain: and blind flying, Squadron Leader Smith and Lieut. Ulm nav warm tributes to Litchfield, and McWilliams. -