ANOTHER CROSS-STRAIT FLIGHT.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 205, 30 August 1920, Page 4

ANOTHER CROSS-STRAIT FLIGHT.

CAPTAIN DICKSON IN BLEN-

HiiiM

As secretly as he had arrived here on Wednesday morning—but not from the same cause—Captain Euan Vickaoa in ins Avro aeroplane returned to Blenheim from WVilington on Saturday afternoon, landing opposite l>rumciog r on the j>ilion's iroiut iioad, at 4'.ao p.m., tio minutes alter "taking oif" at 'iTentham. Ins only companion was his mechanic —jir C ii. Hewlett, wiio accompanied him on the journey to Wellington, being unabie to make the return trip by air. Captain JLhckson brought a mail from Wellington, the worus "Aerial Post" stamped on. the envelopes of the letters testifying, to the route by which they had come. in conversation with an Express representative, Captain Dickson said that if he was to be the first man to ny across Cook Strait his movements must be kept secret, as there was an aviator at Trentham from the Kohimarama School in Auckland who had expressed his intention to make the trip, and even a few hours' warning of Captain ]>ickson's iiight from Christchurch would have "been .sufficient for the Auckland man to have beaten him. So he could not afford to have his movements known too soon.

When he was ready to make the return trip to Blenheim, Captain Dickson continued, he got into communication with the Government Meteorologist, who strongly, advised him not to make the attempt for several days, as the indications pointed to squally weather.. So far as Wellington was concerned, these conditions were very in evidence. On Saturday morning reports were obtained from Cape Terawhiti and the Wairau Bar,.which were both favorable; b\it again Mr Bates counselled delay. Later in the day further reports were secured, and on the strength of these, although at Trentham the weather was very cloudy, Captain Dickson decided to stark Ho had intended setting out at 2 p.m., but the mail was late in arriving, and it was 20 minutes past 8 before a start was made.

On ascending it was noticed that a. bank of clouds was approaching Blenheim from, the westward, and it was a question as to which would reach Blenheim first. The aeroplane won. Captain Diekson shaped his course for The Brothers, and arriving above the rocks turned southward and followed the coast-line to the Wairau Beach, landing in the same paddock at Blenheim from which he had set out for Wellington on Wednesday. Tli© maximum height attained by the machine during its flight was 6000 feet.

Captain Dickson, who is staying at the Club Hotel,1 spent a quiet day yesterday. Naturally, the Avro was the centre of attraction for crowds of people. To-day' residents of-Marl-borough were given the opportunity of "having a fly," and the machine became a familiar sight in the air. Captain Dickson will continue his homeward journey via Kaikoura on Wednesday.

The flight of Cook Strait is a much mpre difficult matter than the croKsing of the Straits of Dover, the aviator pointed out. The hills on either side rise sheer from the sea, and should a forced landing have to be made in the strait, although the aeroplane has a landing radius of six miles, there are not, as there are between England and France, vessels every, mile or two which could render assistance if required

Oaptitin Dickson was not prepared to express an opinion as to whether an aerial mail service between the North and South Islands was likely to \e established in the near future, lie pointed out, however, that %he parriage of mails from Christehurch to Blenheim and vice versa would be an easy matter. The aoroplano could leave Christehurch, say, at 7 a.m., and either connect with the mail-ears at Kaikoura. or come right to Blenheiilf. The Clarence, lire, and Maxbourne valleys all possessed suitable land for stopping places and the erection of hangars. Describing his trip from Christchurch to 'Wellington, Captain Dickson said.: "After leaving' Kaikoura, we followed the coast-line and passed various places on the coast, turning inland towards Blenheim at the Ure River. The maximum height between Kaikoura and Blenheim was 6000 feet on the coast. Passing Seddon; and Ward we got lower. Grained over ?!«dwood Pass (about 3000 feet). We landed in Blenheim with very few people about. Mr Mogridge had arranged the fire and everything else* - Leaving Blenheim we' obtained a fair height of liOQO" feet. Wo followed the coast past Port Underwood and llumuider Point, and half-way between thexe and Wellington Heads 1 changed, my course direct for Terawhiti. W,e came down to about 3500 feet over Terawhiti light."