PROGRESS REPORTED

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 June 1930, Page 7

PROGRESS REPORTED

1 SOUTHERN CROSS FLIGHT HALE THE JOURNEY OVER I - FOG AND HEAD-WINDS. (Copyright in New Zealand, by the Australian Press Association. World’s Copyright by the "New York Times.”) Received 12.t0 p.m., to-dav. NEW YORK, .1 une 24. Communicating with various steamers along its course, the Southern Cross indicated that half of its 1800mile ocean journey had been completed at noon, New York time. A mesage received during the morning indicated that the first part of the journey was made against Jiead-Avinds, with the machine’s speed reduced to an average of 80 miles an hour, the weather being cold. The winds, howeA r er, later died doAvn and the ocean i was as calm as a mill-pond. If it were always like this ocean flying would be a pleasure.” Fog, however, came up at one time and Kingston! Smith reported trying to lift the ’plane above it. The fog is bad, but ive are pining for a cigarette.” The avitov then reported that the machine’s speed Avas much improved. What with the lightening of the load they were averaging 100 miles an hour. The latest message received from the ’plane, via Halifax, reported that its position at 2.15 p.m., New York time, was 50 deg. 30 min. N., 36 W. Kingsford Smith has accepted with pleasure a dinner im'itaiion. from the New York Netherlands Club, stating:: “We shall arrive in New York to-mor-row.”

CONDITIONS REVIEWED. WINDS SHOULD DECREASE. Received 1.45 'p.m. to-dav. NEW YORK, June 24.. Dp. James Kemball, meteorologist, in his weather report, stated: “The low area has moved eastward over Britain. When the ’plane took off it nosed into west winds following this area, and as it flew westward 1 the A\’.inds Avere likely to diminish to the middle of the ocean. The fliers will probably make the best time for the first half of their flight. After the centre of the ocean the westediies will increase and steadily against them all the way to Newfoundland.

Kingsford Smith is likely to hiave fair Aveather to-morrow at New York, but down the coast the weather is overcast and the ivinds Avest to northwest. ’ ’

MESSAGES FROM ’PLANE. “THICKER AND COLDER.” Received 2 p.m. to-day. NEW YORK, June 24. ’ Further messages are now being received. Some of them Avere broken, but they are now coming clear after a period of silence. One stated: “Bet Smith and Van Dylc (second pilot) are about fed up with it, too. The wind seems to have eased. I now guess it’s about 15 miles an hour, w.s.av.” At 4.20 p.m.. New York standard time, Smith radioed: “It is now about 9.31 p.m. by my English summer time. I guess that by about 1 o’clock in the morning we will .be over Cape Race.” An hour following the broadcast of one long dash, Smith stated : “It is getting thicker and colder. I haA'e got so many of my hairy clothes on that I can hardly .” Here the message faded 1 off. Halifax reported that the Aveather was good off the coast, the fog being burned off in brilliant sunshine. Kingsford Smith next radioed: “It is getting quite dark now inside the cabin, and the cheerful glow of the radio tube, with its cheery red plate, makes the cabin look cosy. To complete the effect I think I will Avrap myself round another sandwich. Stand bv.” !

DUSK FALLING. CREW IN GOOD SPIRITS. Received 2.45 p.m. to-dav. NEW YORK, June 24. Tatar messages from the Southern Ores** stated: “Well, that was a jolly decent supper, I think, for this shipsnappy chicken sandwich, and a cup/ of coffee. It is ,not dark yet, but Ave are fa.iriv high nearly 4000 feet-.”

Then. a. message, seemingly addressed to a. friend on the west coast of the United States, stated!: Clyde Dwinnai, Hemet. Place, Hollywood.—Will be along to see you shortly. Olydh,' old man. Regards from mid’-Api an tic .—• John.”

A later message said : “Getting darker now, and the outboard motors are shrouded in a blue haze. Eaicthi exhaust nort has a faint pink flame feathering ■from it. It its very uncanny, and the fettering on the starboard wing is embossed! in gold ast the last faint radiance from the Avestorn sky touches it.”