FLIGHT STILL DELAYED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 12

FLIGHT STILL DELAYED.

MOST UNFAVOURABLE REPORT , ? HEAVY GALE AT BLENHEIM. SAFETY OF THE AEROPLANES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 BLENHEIM. Monday. Tho weather report to-night was one of the most unfavourable which has como to hand sinco the Tasman fliers arrived. Tho Government meteorologist, Dr. E. Kidson, states that a severe depression in tho west Tasman is being followed cast by another at present located in tho Australian Bight, so that tliero I will be no possibility of favourable conditions for at least three days, and probably not for a week. . A heavy galo raged hero to-day, although apparently not so severe as in other parts of tho Dominion. Tho temporary hangar in which the Southern Cross is housed was again subjected to a tremendous test but survived tho ordeal admirably, though it had been deemed expedient for safety sako to remove tho tarpaulin roof. Tho aerodrome at Blenheim to-day looked like a weather-bound harbour, with tho Southern Cross, Mr. Douglas Mill's Moth and two Bristol Fighters all firmly moored, with gusty wind and rain coming straight down tho field from the north-west. In no other placo in tho Dominion apart from the Wigram aerodrome has such a collection of aeroplanes of different types been seen. A westerly gale sprang up yesterday, making the tarpaulin roof of the temporary hangar bulge and flap wildly. FlightLieutenant Ulm inspected the hangar in the afternoon, and, fearing that if tho tarpaulin pulled looso a pieco of timber might drop, damaging the wings of the Southern Cross, ordered tho tarpaulin to be taken off. Its removal was a job like handling the sails of an old sailing vessel in a gale but, with the aid of volunteer helpers, it was finally accomplished safely. The Bristols and the Moth were pegged down safely, the latter looking tiny under one wing of the great monoplane. This morning again Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm inspected tho Southern Cross and decided that it was better to leave the hangar open to the rain than to risk putting back the tarpaulins in a gusty wind. One Bristol fighter and the Moth, which are in tho hangar, were secured by ropes. Tho other Bristol fighter was moored firmly under the leo of a large haystack. Arrangements havo been made to house tho two Bristol fighters in tho Marlborough Aero Club's hangar on the permanent aerodrome, this building having been rushed to completion for, that purpose. Mr. Mill's Moth will also be housed there.