TASMAN FLIGHT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 1 September 1928, Page 9

TASMAN FLIGHT

ARRIVAL ON SUNDAY.

CHURCHMEN’S PROTEST.

SUPPORTED BY MAYOR

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 1

The Mayor, the Rev. J. K. Archer, replying to a deputation this morning from the Christchurch* Ministers ’ Association, undertook to send a cablegram immediately to Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith embodying a protest against the arrival of t'Ti e Southern Cross 021 Sunday.

Mr Archer added that personally he would not take any part in The 'welcome on .Sunday or allow himself to be represented by anyone. The Mayor’s cable to 'Sydney reads: “Christchurch churchmen strongly protest against changed plans involving arrival on Sunday. I support the protest. Cannot the departure be delayed. Signed Archer, Mayor.”

MESSAGE^EROM AVIATOR'S,

TO-NIGHT *S ARRANGEMENTS

DUETSTOHURCn, Sept. 1,

The following cable, signed by Sqaiad-ron-Leader Ivings'ford Smith and Plight •Lieutenant TJlm was received here this morning: “Probably leaving at (six o’clock on Saturday night and arrive in New Zealand seventeen hours later. If unable to take-off will advise.” Advice has also been received from Kings'ford Smith requesting police protection for the ’plane during the whole time it is at the aerodrome.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITII ’PLANE

ARRANGEMENTS OF POSTAL DEPARTMENT.

(By Telegraph—Special to The Star.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 1

The Post land Telegraph Department has made complete arrangements for keeping in touch with the ’plane Southern Cross. Its radio stations at Apia. Awunui, AWarua, .Chat-hams and Wellington have all been instructed to keep a continuous watch and to forward communications to headquarters. The ’plane has adopted its American call K.H.A.B. and tests from Sydney, show that there was no difficulty in keeping contact with New Zealand every half-hour. The .Wellington radio station will exchange with the ’plane Christchurch signals on SOO metres, a wave length adopted to keep clear of •ships’ signals. Weather reports from New Zealand meteorologist will be sent on these occasions. Messages from the aviators will be sent on 33 metres and all private license holders have been warned that they are not permitted to publish messages. When the ’plane approaches New Zealand at the most interesting stage of the flight, the shart wave recipients will be in the dead area. This .contingency has been anticipated by the postal officials, who will then communicate on a long wavelength, which should maintain touch until the .actual landing. They were in touch with the ’plane throughout on short wave and have boon particularly successful with American shortwave pick-ups. The round far round details of the Heeney-Tunney fight wore thus made available to wireless listeners, and whatever messages on the present flight. Which can be immediately made public will again be handed by Postal Departmoints to the broadcasting stations. The ’plane’s position can thus be given at frequent intervals.

WEATHER. CONDITIONS UNPAY DURABLE.

START MAY BE DELAYED. M BTE OR OLOGIS'T ’S FORECAST WELLINGTON, Sept. 1.

The, Dominion meteorologist, Dr. Kidson, stated this afternoon that the depression in the South Tasman Sea had increased considerably in intensity since yesterday and strong 'westerlywinds and unsettled weather prevails between here and Australia. “I think it is unlikely that a start will ho made this evening. We have advised them and sent a forecast this morning to that, effect. They will ho advised by the meteorologist in Sydney as well. ’ ’

RECORD OF EARLIER FLIGHTS.

Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith has a notable record as an aviator. He began as a pilot in the Royal Plying Corps during the war. After the war he was for some time engaged in commercial aviation in California, and on his return to Australia he entered the service of West Australian Airways, Limited, whose machines he flew for three years without accident. His accomplishments in the way of Tong nonstop flights with Plight-Lie'Utenant C. T. P. Him are as fallows:— San Francisco to Honolulu 2,400 miles Honolulu to Suva 2,800 miles Suva to Brisbane 1,530 miles Melbourne to Perth 1,950 miles Perth to Adelaide 1,480 miles Adelaide to Richmond .. 700 miles

In addition to these flights Kingsford Smith in Ills 'lO days’ flight around Australia, in June, 1927, established a non-stop Australian record for that time of 800 miles, from Darwin to Broome, Western Australia, notwithstanding the fact, that there was a broken valve in the engine.