FAREWELL BY WIRELESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19416, 26 August 1926, Page 12

FAREWELL BY WIRELESS

DEPARTURE OF COBHAM.

ADDRESS IN MELBOURNE.

CLEARLY HEARD IN AUCKLAND. On the eve of his departure for Britain and home Captain Alan Cobham, "the aerial ambassador of Empire," bade farowell to the people of Australia from the Melbourne wireless station, 3LO, last evening. The intrepid airman spoke al-. most jauntily of his hazardous return trip, and doubtless his cheerful remarks aroused in the minds of New Zealand listeners a desire to see in the flesh as well-as to hear this explorer of the unchartered wastes of the air.

The cheerful Englishman was heard excellently on a wireless receiving set owned and operated by Mr. E. Ninnis, of St. George's Road, Parnell. The crisp sentences, characteristic of the British, military man,'came flashing through the air at a speed which Cobham himself could never hope to equal in what, he affectionately termed "his bus." He urged Australians, and his remarks applied equally to New Zealanders, to realise fully the tremendous importance of aviation both for commercial and defence purposes, and hoped that his "Hying" visit would have some good results. "I am pleased with the deep interest that is being taken in Melbourne and all over Australia in the science of aviation," he said, "and I sincerely hopa that this interest does not die." Australia .already had the nucleus of a strong air' force, and he wished to thank the staff of the Melbourne aerodrome for assisting him to overhaul his machine. The excitement 'in the aviator's voice became noticeable as he spoke of his return trip. "If I can get back to England in this same machine and with this same engine, I shall, have accomplished what no roan has yet done," he said. "In al] previous flights the engines have been changed, and I am hoping that I will be able to break the record.' "Support your local flying club," the famous aviator told the listeners-in. "These clubs will eventually prove the backbone of flyings in Australia, and they need plenty of practical support." ''You know, this flying game is not difficult," he added in a most nonchalant air, as if he were instructing his unseen audience in a new game of cards. "It is just like a youngster flying a kite. If there 4 s no wind, lie runs along with the string until ho makes enough wind to lift the kite up into the air. An aeroplane is exactly the same, only the engine takes the place of the string. All you need your engine for after you have left the ground, is to fly level. If it stops you don't necessarily crash, but the aeroplane simply glides down on the atmosphere. Really, you know, you can learn to fly in about two or three hours." Captain'Cobham then gave a few faots about his great return trip which starts to-day. He will leave Melbourne for Adelaide and then will fly over Australia to Darwin before bridging the • Indian Ocean. While passing over Central Australia, he said, he intended to secure photographs and information to show that it was not such a bad place as it was made out to be.

"I want to get, back to England quickly," said Captain Cobham. "I want to got home, ftlany people have asked me why I did not bring my wife and kiddie with me and I think I will have to do so when I come again. This means a bigger machine when T return probably early next year." Then he added cheerfully, "Well then,-! will say goodbye until next time. Goodbye, Australia." '"v i l ' ;