SERIOUS RISK TAKEN.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 September 1928, Page 5

SERIOUS RISK TAKEN.

TO KEEP FAITH WITH PUBLIC. BRISTOL PLANES ’ HAZARDOUS FLIGHT TO SOCKEURN. FORCED DESCENT OF PATHFINDING MACHINE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). ' CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. ’ In order that the arrangements made on their behalf should" not be Unduly upset, the Tasman fliers and Captains Findlay and Buckley undertook a very real risk when they made the flight from Blenheim to Christchurch yesterday. The weather conditions, which caused a postponement in the morning, were still all against them in the afternoon, and when they hopped off it was with the full knowledge that they were asking the machines to undertake the maximum that they were capable of. The machines are capable of remaining in the air for approximately two and a-half hours. The landing at the Wigram Aerodrome was made in slightly over that time. The machines were virtually at their last drop of petrol, and between three and seven minutes longer would have sufficed to make a forced landing imperative. It was a task that the machines would not have been put to tinder ordinary conditions, and one which was undertaken only but of consideration for the public. It was particularly unfortunate, under these circumstances, that Captain Findlay should have had to land as the result of a minor technical irregularity quite unconnected with the* ordinary hazards of the trip. But for his bad luck in-this respect, it is certain that all three machines would have completed in triumph what is undoubtedly one of .the -most -notable flights ever undertaken by machines of New Zealand Air Force. ■ The conditions were difficult all the way until the defect in Captain Findlay’s engine forced him to land. - Captain Findlay acted as pathfinder, testing ".currents. high’ and low to find the best" stratum. TESTING PLANE ARRIVES SAFELY. (By Telegraph —Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Captain Findlay left Conway at 9.10 a.m. and arrived at Christchurch safely at 10.15. ' SOUTHERN FLIGHT POSTPONED. BAD CONDITIONS OVERHEAD. (By Telegraph —Press Association), CHRISTCHURCH, This Bay. The Tasman fliers have decided not to go south to-day. To-morrow’s plans are now being considered. The weather aloft is very bad. SOUTHERN TOUR ABANDONED. WEATHER MAY DELAY DEPARTURE FOR AUSTRALIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The southern tour of the Tasman fliers has been definitely abandoned. This decision was reached by Squadi on-Leader Kingsford Smith this raor iing after Captain .Findlay had returned from Conway River. Before the airmen take off for Blenheim the Southern Cross will do three or four test flights over the city. The first will take place to-morrow afternoon, when the machine will be flown over the sanatoria at Cashmere Hills. It is not certain now that the airmen will leave Christchurch for Blenheim on Friday afternon. * Kingsford Smith said this morning that the return flight to Australia would not take place until there was a prospect of meeting with good weather and in view of the unfavourable reports from Dt. Kidson it was quite possible that they would no: leave here on Friday.