TASMAN FLIERS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 September 1928, Page 5

TASMAN FLIERS

THE RETURN TRIP. TELLING THE STORY. \ J BROADCAST liq Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 26, The Radio Broadcasting Company has made arrangements for broadcasting reports of the return flight of the Southern ' Cross to Australia. Station 3YA Christchurch will relay a description of the aeroplane’s departure from Sockbnrn early on Friday afternoon, if the weather does not detain the fliers. Station 2YA Wellington will rebroadcast 3YA’s description of the take-off.

The report of the arrival of the Southern Cross will be relayed from Blenheim to station 2YA by the submarine cable across Cook Strait on Friday afternoon —the first time a broadcast- relay will be undertaken in New Zealand by submarine cable. The cable to be used, is that utilised for telephone calls between the North and South Islands.

Mr. J. Ball, of 2YA, left Wellington by the Tamahine this afternoon, en route for Blenheim. The radio- technicians are proceeding from Christchurch to Blenheim with the microphone, land line connections, and other equipment. The departure of-the Southern Cross from Blenheim for Sydney, possibly, on Sunday morning, will be described from the aerodrome and relayed by 2YA. This will be rebroadcast; by „3YA. All New Zealand stations will remain on the air throughout the flight across the Tasman.

TO WITNESS DEPARTURE

VISITOR'S TO BLENHEIM.

SOUTHERN CROSS TO ARRIVE-TO-MORROW AFTERNOON.

BLENHEIM, -Sept.. 27. s.

The town is rapidly filling with visitors to witness the arrival and. depart--ure of the Southern Cross. Hotel accommodation is at a premium and the... Aero 'Club’s accommodation bureau •is hard put to meet applications. Despite rumours emanating from Christchurch -advice has been received from Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith that the Southern 'Cross will definitely;* arrive at Blenheim on Friday afternoon, unless the weather is very 'bad. DUNEDIN DISAPPOINTED. AIRMEN EXPLAIN THE REASON,. DUNEDIN, Sept. 26. Dunedin people waited in vain this morning for t»ie hoisting of the flag at the Town Hall as an indication that -the Tasman fliers - had.- left _ Christchurch on their southern, jour-.; ney. Although previous reports- had clearly shown that the abandonment of the flight was not improbable, there were still many who were hopeful of seeing the men whom New Zea- . land had so enthusiastically acclaimed as heroes. As no information regarding thb movements of the airmen was received at the Town Hall in the early part of the morning it seemed almost certain that the flight was not to be attempts . ed. but- it was not until 11 o’clock that' official word was received that as the result of bad- weather the fliers had been delayed. Early in the afternoon a telegram was received from the air--men themselves -stating , that they hadr ' been comnelled 'to abandon their visit. - ■ The telegram stated:- “It’ is with sincere i-egret that we must abandon our proposed visit to Tim-aru, Oamaru' and Dunedin. - Particularly’ had weather conditions made it impossible for ns to-1 leave Christchurch to-day, and we have received advice from Dr. Kidson informing us that there is a Possibility of our securing fairly good weather conditions for - our. return Tasman flight during, the next few days. Therefore, as we could; not 'eave yesterdav or to-day,, we would be Jeopardising our chances of a sue-; *

"essful flight back across the Tasman by delaying here any further. Several test- flights with the Southern Cross, must he made both at Christchurch and at Blenheim, and these will take my all the available time prior to our departure. Will you please convey to the ritizens our sincere anpreciation of the very many congratulatory .l.etond telegrams which we have re--etVefh and assure them bn our "behalf that we made every: nossible enleavour to visit your city.”