GREAT ADVENTURE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 22, 7 January 1928, Page 5

GREAT ADVENTURE

NO DEFINITE DATE FOR STARTING 1450 MILES TASMAN FLIGHT. EMERGENCY SAFEGUARDS PROVIDED. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.] (Received 7, 10.40 a.m.) Sydney, Dec. 7. The New Zealand aviators, in the event of having to come down at sea, carry with them a rubber raft which can be inflated from a bottle of compressed air in a few minutes. Wireless messages in Morse will be transmitted during the flight at frequent intervals on a wave length of 33.1 and 33.5 metres. Many airmen and other visitors have inspected the machine since its arrival at the Richmond Aerodrome, and have expressed their admiration of its perfect workmanship and design. ARRANGEMENTS IN NEW ZEALAND. FLAGS TO FLY AT PRINCIPAL POST OFFICES. Wellington, Jan. 7. The Secretary-General of Post Offices announces that arrangements have been made to fly flags at the principal post offices in the Dominion on receipt of news that the aviators have. left Sydney. Should the flight commence on Sunday morning, or if for any reason it is postponed till Monday morning or a later date, the siime action will be taken. The Department has also arranged for certain of its officers on the west coast of both islands to report quickly to Wellington should the aviators bo sighted during their approach to the Dominion.

NOT LEAVING SUNDAY. CABLE FROM LIEUT. MONCRIEFF Dannevirke, Jan. 7. Mr. A. McNicol, trustee of the Tasman Flight Fund, has received the following cable from Lieut. Moncrief!, leader of the expedition:— Definitely not leaving Sunday, but any time after that, weather permitting. PREPARATIONS COMPLETED. Sydney, Jan. 6. The New Zealand aviators have completed all preparations for the flight, and are only waiting favourable weather conditions to make a start. They realise the element of risk in crossing 1450 miles over tho Tasman Sea in a pioneer flight, even under the most auspicious circumstances, and are determined not to take any foolhardy risks. They are hopeful of getting away early on Sunday morning, but will only start then if the weather is perfect for flying. They are leaving early in the morning so as to utilise the maximum amount of daylight. It has not yet been decided whether Captain Kight or Captain Hood will accompany Lieutenant Moncrief. Two pilots will take turns at the joystick, and for two hour spells each will have control of tho ’plane while the other rests. POINT OF LANDING UNDECIDED. Whether the machine makes direct for Wellington will not be decided till half way across the Tasman, when a bearing will be taken ajid a course set for either Wellington or Greymouth, the proposed alternative landing place. The machine has been put through every possible test and the fliers are confident it will prove equal to what it is required to do. REAL PURPOSE OF FLIGHT. Captain Kight, interviewed by a Press Association representative, strongly stressed the point th:it he wished the public, both in New Zealand and Australia, to understand that there was nothing whatever in the way of a stunt; or gaining personal kudos about the flight. At much personal inconvenience and financial risk, having received very small public support, the journey was being undertaken with the wider national objective of creating a deeper interest in the pressing question of the value of aerial defence in the Pacific zone and drawing into closer relationship the people of New Zealand and Australia in their commercial and other interests, thereby welding stronger links in the great Empire unity ideal.