PACIFIC FLIERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 165, 12 June 1928, Page 7

PACIFIC FLIERS

WELCOME IN SYDNEY.

HUGE ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD, LOG GIVEN TO NATIONAL LIBRARY.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SIDNEY, June 11. Tho Pacific fliers were to-day officially welcomed at the Town Hall by tlio Civic Commissioners. A huge enthusiastic crowd packed tlio building and adjoining thoroughfares. Air C. T. Him presented the log of the Southern Cross to tlie National Library.

FILAI INTERESTS,

DIVISION AMONG AIRMEN. (Australian Press Association—-United Service.) LOS ANGELES, June 11. Captain Allan Hancock, tho backer of the Southern Cross flight, has announced that a half interest in the flight motion pictures will go to the two Americans, Captain Lyon and Lieutenant Warner, and the other half to Captain Kingsford Smith and Mr Ulm. Pictures of the preparatory steps to the flight were taken by Captain Hancock’s photographer, while Mr Ulm from bis seat in the ’plane shot scenes of interest during the flight. SUBSCRIPTION LIST.

NEW YORK NEWSPAPERS. (Australian Press Association.) NEW YORK, June 10. In emulation of the example set by Australia in raising funds on behalf of Captain Kingsford Smith and Air Ulm, tlio Henrst Newspapers have opened a subscription list for Captain Lyon and Lieutenant Warner, with a contribution of 5000 dollars.

FLIGHT TO DOAIINION.

NO OFFICIAL WORD RECEIVED CHRISTCHURCH, June 11.

Interviewed this morning, Captain J. L. Findlay, officer in charge at Wigram Aerodrome, Sockburn, said that no word had been received by him m the matter of Captain Smith’s flight across tho Tasman.

"I am practically sure that Alajor T. Al. Wilkes, tiro Director of New Zealand Air Services, has received no word either. Had he done so, I would have been communicated with, as it is almost.certain that Christchurch would bo the landing place.” Captain Findlay stated that should the flight be made, there would be ample accommodation for the landing at Wigram Aerodrome. “J know nothing of it, certainly nothing official but if they do try, here’s good luck to them,” lie added. CANTERBUR Y’S CONGRATULATIONS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. On behalf of the Canterbury Progress League and tho Christchurch Aero Club the following cable has been sent Captain Kingsford Smith: “Congratulations on your splendid achievement. A\[e are gratified to learn of. your intention to fly the Tasman. • "Canterbury cordially invites you to malye Christchurch, where special facilities exist, your landing place.” . Air S. F. .Napier, of Christchurch, who is agent for Captain Kingsford Smith in New Zealand, stated yesterday that ho was practically certain that the aviators would make Christchurch their landing place at this end. Ho had sent a cablegram to Captain Smith at Sydney and was awaiting a reply.

“MOST WONDERFUL DAY.” CAPTAIN SMITH’S AMBITION REALISED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Juno 11. Catain Kingst'ord Smith, speaking from 2BL, Sydney, on Sunday night, thanked his unseen audience for the welcome they had given him and his companions. “This is a very wonderful day,” ho said, “The most wonderful day in mv life. You all know what it is to iiavo ambitions, to cherish them for years until it seems that they can be nothing more than dreams, and then suddenly to have them fulfilled. “For eight years I have cherished the ambition to fly the Pacific. Today it is realised. It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank you for the way in which you have welcomed mo home. I am particularly happy to he able to speak to you from Station 2BL. 1, understand that many yof you listening-in to tlie station followed us last night as wo came through the storms from Suva, and after last night I can assure vou that I am glad to be here. We had a bad time and struck the worst weather of the whole trip, but we had confidence in one another and confidence in our machine, and we won through. I cannot describe my feelings when from the sky I saw Australia again. “Once again I can only say that I am verv. happy and very thankful. My comrades in Australia and'America join with mo in expressing thanks and greetings to the people of Australia. \Vo have been given a wonderful reception. All I can say is that if wo have done anything to place Australia more prominently oil the map, and if we have brought Australian flying before tiro world, then I am well repaid.”

SUGGESTED LANDING PLACE,

GOOD LOCALITIES IN DISTRICT.

A proposal that, in the event of the Southern Cross coming on i>o New Zealand, the aviators should be asked to land in Palmerston North was made at this morning’s meeting of the general committee of the Manawatu A. and p Association by Mr J. Linklater, M.P., tho chairman. There were suitable landing places in the vicinity of the Showgrounds, said the chairman. Mr M. A. Conway; Why not have the ’lpane land on the Showgrounds itself? . Gillespie’s paddock, added the chairman, would be suitable, while there was also an area of hundred acres on his (the speaker’s) property that could also be used. Mr L. H. Collinson: The racecourse would also suit.

“There is no reason why the ’plane should not land in Palmerston North,” said Mr Linklater. “At the Show there will be one of the biggest concourses of people in New Zealand at the time.”

The matter was one of great importance, stated Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., but the question of. ascertaining the most suitable landing place could be considered later. In the meantime he suggested that tlie Minister of Defence be communicated with. This ivas agreed to.