ACROSS THE TASMAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 November 1934, Page 5

ACROSS THE TASMAN

HEWETT LEAVES SYDNEY SAFETY EQUIPMENT CARRIED (United Presß Association—By Electric l'el egraph—Copy righ i) (Received 14th November 9. 15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Hewett, Kay and Stewart were ready to leave Richmond aerodrome at four" o’clock this morning when they discovered a defect in the compass which is now being adjusted and they expect to leave shortly. (Received 14th November, 10.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Hewett hopped oil" at six o’clock for Auckland. Only a few pressmen and members of the Air Force were present to see the ’plane make an excellent take-off, Hewett intends heading for Mt. Egmont and then follow the coast to Auckland. Latest weather reports indicate conditions are not favourable on the western half of the flight, but on the eastern half the fliers should strike good flying weather. To provide against being forced down into the sea a manhole lias been cut in the roof of tlie ’plane to enable a quick exit. Other safety equipment includes three collapsible boats.

A big tank in the centre of tlie ’plane carries extra gasoline. This takes up so much room that the pilots have to crawl into tlie control seats. Once there they are out of sight of the operator, but a “house” telephone will keep them in touch. Before their departure Hewett said, “It is the easiest way of getting home,” FILM OF TAKE=OFF (Received 14th November, 1.15 p.m.) SYDNEIY This Day. Tlie fliers are carrying a film of their take-off from Mascot yesterday afternoon. It shows Miss Elaine Hammill, the New Zealand actress, wishing them “a happy landing” on their home shores. The film was hurriedly developed in Sydney and rushed to Richmond. It should be shown in New Zealand theatres to-night. RADIO MESSAGES BAD WEATHER EXPERIENCED WELLINGTON, This Day. Radio messages sent by the wireless operator Stewart were received by the wireless station in Auckland. The first was sent out before departure, stating that the compass was being adjusted owing to an error. This was followed by the announcement that the ’plane had left at six o’clock, Sydney time (eight o’clock New Zealand time). A third message received in Auckland at 9.23, New Zealand time, said: “Kay is sitting in the main cabin with his charts and Hewett is at the controls. I can see his grim face. There is a dense bank of dirty clouds. We had hoped to avoid these, but no such luck,” the statement ends. Sydney advised reception was bad. A fourth message received at Sydney radio at 9.30 a.m.. New Zealand time, begins: “Flying in dense clouds. Dark in cabin, which is by no means rainproof, and looks as if we are in for a bath.” A fifth at 10.20 a.m., New Zealand time, received at Sydney, advised that a, portion of a message was received to the effect that the ’plane ran into a storm, "but was .endeavouring to. get above it. A sixth Sydney radio advised at 10.30 New Zealand time, a message from the ’plane as follows: “Weather still bad. Don’t like chance of quick trip.” ' Hewett in "a" seventh/message at 11.25 a.m. New Zealand time, said : "“Weather becoming brighter. W 6 are going to have a sandwich.”

Tlie first message heard in Auckland direct was at 12.30 when lie called all stations on nine hundred metres with the remark, “Going to take drift.’’ He was also heard calling th e Richmond air base. He said he was getting a good run but could not communicate with the boat, and asked Richmond if it could help him. HOLIDAY AT PALMERSTON NORTH WELCOME HOME TO FLIERS LARGE GATHERING ANTICIPATED PALMERSTON NORTH, This Day. • Advice was received by the Manawatu Centenary Air Race Committee • that Ilewettt and Kay, who are now on their way across the Tasman, are due at Milson aerodrome about 5 this afternoon. It is anticipated that the airmen will cross the coastline at the nearest point to Palmerston North unless shortage of fuel compels them to descend at New Plymouth. In any event they are coming oil to this centre. The city is befiagged, a general holiday being observed for the welcome home of McGregor and Walker, the Manawatu pilots in the Centenary Race. An enormous volume of traffic is proceeding to Milson aerodrome, where the official welcome will be given by the Mayor, civic representatives, and others. Numerous aeroplanes from sister clubs from all parts of the North Island are arriving, also three Air Force machines from Christchurch. The weather is fine, and it is expected the gathering will be one of the largest ever seen in the city. AIRMEN AT HASTINGS RECEPTION TO WHITE HASTINGS, This Day. Stanley G. White of Havelock North the airman who recently completed a holiday flight from England to Australia,' arrived here from Auckland, taking two and a half hours on the journey. White will be accorded a formal civic welcome on Thursday when Squadron-Leader McGregor and Walker, and possibly Squadron-Leader Ifewett and Flying Officer Kay will visit here. WRIGHT AND POLANDO t'ORCED LANDING ON DESOLATE COAST LONDON. 13th' November. Wright and Polando, the American airmen who took part in the Centenary Air Race, were forced to land on a desolate coast near Famagusta with propeller trouble and only just managed to cross the sea from Aleppo. BRISBANE-SINGAPORE SECTION (Received 14th November, $).15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Two large de Ilavilland biplanes for tlie Rrisbanc-Singaporc section of the' London-Australia air mail are now in Australia, the second machine having reached Darwin. Two more are being "shipped from London. The fifth is being flown to Australia in the middle of December. NEW GERMAN SERVICES LONDON, 13th November. The “Financial Times” Berlin cor-

respondent says it is understood that Dr Eckener recently visited America and practically concluded arrangements with the American air department for a regular airship service between Germany and the United States beginning experimentally next summer. Negotiations are also progressing with the Dutch air authorities for an airship service between Holland and the Dutch Indies. Dr Eckener is also hoping to negotiate with tlie British Air Ministry for a Zeppelin service between Europe and British India. ANOTHER AIR RACE ENGLAND-SOUTH AFRICA ANNIVERSARY OF UNION CAPETOWN, 13th November, rians are afoot for a spectacular air race next year from Britain to South Africa and hack on the lines of the Macßobcrtson race. Tlie race would be the most colourful feature of the lavish celebrations next May both of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Union and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne. SIR ABE BAILEY APPROACHED (Received 14th November, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, 13th November. Sir Abe Bailey told the “Daily Mail’’: “1 received a cable from the Mayor of Capetown asking whether I would sponsor an air race from London to Capetown. I am shortly announcing my decision. I will do anything to assist South Africa, and believe the event will be generally popular.” flight to Capetown JONES ANU WALLER LEAVING ON SUNDAY (Received 14th November, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, 13th November. Jones and Waller have provisionally fixed Sunday at dawn for the start of the proposed record-breaking flight to Capetown in the de Ilavilland Comet in which they recently made the return flight from Australia. By carrying sufficient fuel for a non-stop flight of 2900 miles they propose to fly via the Sahara desert and Nigeria down the west coast of Africa. MISS FREDA THOMPSON DARWIN, This Day, Miss Freda. Thompson, who made H forced landing on her solo flight from England, having repaired her aeroplane at Tennant’s Creek, arrived at Newcastle Waters.