EN ROUTE TO NEW YORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 13

EN ROUTE TO NEW YORK.

* HEAD WINDS AT FIRST. / PERIOD OF BLIND FLYING. SMITH'S CHEERFUL MESSAGESMACHINE BEHAVING WELL (Copyright in. New Zealand by Australian ' Press Association. World's copyright by New York Times.) (Received June 26. 11.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 26. Despatches from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, state that Squadron-Leader Kincsfard Smith, Mr. Van Dyk (copilot), Mr. P. Saul, navigator, and Mr. J. S. W. Stannage, wireless operator, resumed their flight to New York in the Southern Cross when dawn broka over the historic flying field. By New York standard time the hour of departure was 3.5 a.m. The airmen said Lhev expected to cover the distance to Roosevelt field, Long Island, New York —between 11C0 and 1200 miles—in 12 to 14 hours, in which case they would reach that'destination lata this afternoon. The machine made a perfect take-off.

The first messages from Kingsford Smith were received at the Times radio station between 5.37 a.m. and 6.2 a.m. They were as follows: (1) "The head winds are fairly strong. I expect, if they continue, that we will not make New York till about 6 p.m. New York time. The Southern Cross is better than ever after the night's rest. "P3rsonally I greatly regret my not having fulfilled my part of the arrangement by ianding in the United States, but I do not believe in complaining: Cheerio." Bearings Temporarily Lost. (2) "The weather now is almost perfect. What a contrast to the last trip. By gaily it is bumpy this morning. Wa will land at the westerly end of the Roosevelt field as advised. The old machine is behaving perfectly. Cheerio." (3) "Inform Mr. Grove Whaien (the Mayor of New York's functionary for receivine distinguished visitors) that we will fly over New York before landing. Will advise you the time some hours beforehand" At 6.30 a.m. a message was received saying:—"Over for bearings. Flying blind again." The Times operator explains that probably the message meant the airmen were flying in fog again and were changing over from a 33-metre wave to a 600metre, or compass radio wave, in order to obtain their bearings bv wireless. Replies to Congratulations Seat. Having obtained their bearings the airmen proceeded to send a long stream of telegrams and cablegrams to various parts of the world thanking persons who had congratulated them. Many requests have been received by Kingsford Smith from cities throughoutthe United States to be their guest of honour/ and participate in entertainment programmes. Many of these he has been compelled to decline. Kingsford Smith sent the following message to the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. J. H. Scnllin, through Mr. Herbert Brookes, Commissioner General for Australia: " I thank you on behalf of myself and the crew of the Southern Cross. We are glad to keep Australian aviation up-to-date." AUSTRALIA SUBBED.

SMITH'S LATEST TRIUMPH. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES. (Received June 27, 1.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. Jane 26. Die people of Australia are stirred fay Kingslord Smith's latest triumph. Congratulation:! have been sent to him by the Prime Minister, Mr. J. E. Scnllin, and Other peonie BRITISH TMBUTES. A SPLENDID FLIGHT. AIR MINISTER'S MESSAGE. {Received June 26, 10.5 p.m.) •British Wireless. RUGBY, June 26. Lord Thomson, Secretary of State for Air, has sent the following message to Kingston! Smith: On behalf of the Air Council I warmly congratulate you and your comrades in the Southern Cross on your/ spienaid Atlantic flight. The British press speaks in terms of highest praise of Kingsford Smith's successful flight to Newfoundland, and describes him as among the outstanding Aviators of the day.