RETURN TASMAN FLIGHT

Northern Advocate, 21 October 1935, Page 4

RETURN TASMAN FLIGHT

TRIP NEXT MONTH LUNCHEON TO AIRMAN IRIP THROUGH DOMINION. t Special to “Northern Advocate AUCKLAND, This Day. It is probable that Mr W. M. O’Hara, who flew from Gerringong Beach, New South Wales, to Auckland, on Friday, will make a return flight early in November. Discussing his plans yesterday, Mr O’Hara said that he hoped to fly back across the Tasman Sea when the moon was full. The moon will be full on November 11. Mr O’Hara contemplates taking a flight throughout the Dominion before returning to Australia. At the home of a former resident of java yesterday, a luncheon was given in Mr O’Hara’s honour. Another guest was Captain F. Bauer, Acting-Consul for the Netherlands. Before he left Sydney, Mr O’Hara was given a Dutch flag by members of the Dutch community, and this he handed to Captain Bauer, with the best wishes of the senders. . Mr O’Hara said he was very; very fit, although he had had very little sleep. He had received over 500 messages of congratulation, and while he could not personally, at the moment, reply to them, he wanted everyone to know how grateful he was. ■’ On Saturday night, Mr O’Hara attended the annual reunion in Auckland of the New Zealand Machinegunners (Vickers) Association), where he met his wartime comrades. Mr O’Hara will leave for Warkworth today, and will return to Auckland next Thursday. Sydney Comment. A Sydney message says ‘airmen in Sydney and Melbourne regard Mr O’Hara’s Tasman flight as a fine demonstration of good flying, excellent navigation and aeroplane reliability. All agree that it was hard luck he should have damaged his machine in landing. Mr O’Hara’s achievement is regarded as the more meritorious because he is the least qualified and the least experienced airman ever to make this flight. It is considered that nobody but a born flyer could have done as well. .