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Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1928, Page 2

It is remarkable bow everything appears to have been taken for granted in regard to the Tasman (light. Certainly it was an unofficial flight, but much depended on its success or failure. The flight was countenanced by the Government. The Premier became specially interested and concurred in

seeing the flight undertaken, and Ministers Hocked out to Trenthain to welcome the expected airmen at the conclusion of their great undertaking. Tl seemed to lie anticipated from (lie outset that success was assured, and that there was no possible alternative. The preparations for possible eventualities were almost negative. We were told subsequeiitlv that if the landing was to be made after the light failed, Foxton Beach was to be the objective. This, however, was not known generally, bonce the rush to Trenthain where matters wore ill-prepared indeed for a night landing. The flares which were lit were palpably inadequate, and much dependence appears to have been laid /in friendly motor cars flashing their headlights skywards. Some time passed before the firing of sky rockets was i hough of. It look some time for them to be procured. What happened at Trenthain in the way of unpreparedness was typical elsewhere. There was no preparation to receive or convoy the plane from Australia, and no arrangement for concerted signals at any stage. Everything seemed to depend on the pluck and ability of flic aerial voyagers. Their courage and enterprise were beyond dispute. I lot li were demonstrated in such a way as to make ns proud New Zealand produces such a race of men prepared in keeping with (lie best traditions of the British raie, to play their part to the end, lie (heir fate what it may. It is clear that the equipment for .such a feat was not adequate. The machine was not amphibian, and the wireless plant, could not lie used as it should be on such a journey. There are many lessons to he drann from the experience of the iliglit. and it is outstanding that for a pioneer trip •the undertaking should he an oflicial one, or at all events one oilieialiy approved ami sanctioned in every detail'. There are those intrepid enough to attempt the journey to-morrow if permitted to do so with no greater preparation than that made earlier in the week. This is very praiseworthy so far as the race is concerned, but discretion urges that more ample safeguards should be imposed, and that there is a more sensible side to the valour to be displayed. Wisdom comes from experience and the experiences in the instance supply ample grounds for a general revision of action before any further aerial attempt on the long oversea journey is undertaken.