SOUTHERN CROSS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3833, 18 August 1928, Page 3

SOUTHERN CROSS.

RECEPTION TO THE FLIERS. COMMANDERS PRAISE CREW. Perth, August 15. A civic reception was to-day tendered to Squadron-Leader C. E. Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieu-tenant C. T. P. Ulm, co-command-ers of the monoplane Southern Cross, and the two members of their crew, Messrs H. A. Litchfield (navigator) and T. H. McWilliam (wireless operator) who recently flew to Perth from Point Cook, Melbourne. The Town Hall was crowded and the airmen were given an enthusiastic reception. The Mayor, Mr. Franklin, spoke in flattering terms of their latest wonderful achievement. Messrs Smith and Ulm praised their two colleagues and placed them on the same high pedestal as Captain H. Lyon and Mr. J. Warner, who had preceded them in the Pacific flight. They said Messrs Litchfield and McWilliam were not one whit less courageous. In replying, Mr. Litchfield admitted that he had the “wind up” when they hit the west coast of Western Australia. He said he thought for a moment that Perth had shifted.

Mr. McWilliam, the New Zealand member of the crew, said he felt honoured at being associated with such eminent aviators. His part in the flight to New Zealand would be small compared with that of Messrs Smith and Ulm, but he would do his best. He was eagerly looking forward to the lasman flight. He assured his comrades of a cordial welcome in New Zealand.

The two Australian co-comman-ders have borrowed a small plane for 'the purpose of visiting their country friends on Thursday and Friday. Arrangements have been made to move the Southern Cross from its present water-logged location to a more suitable spot in the country, where there will be a much better chance of taking off with a heavy load at the commencement of the return journey.