WONDERFUL FLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20766, 8 January 1931, Page 10

WONDERFUL FLIGHT.

ACTING-PREMIER'S VIEWS.

WARM CONGRATULATIONS. AUSTRALIA AND DOMINION. AIR LINK ACROSS OCEAN. [BV TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION-] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. " I would like to express my admiration on behalf of the Government of the wonderful flight achieved by Mr. Menzies," said the Hon. E. A. Ransom to-night. " As far as wo are able to judge the flight was made with little apparent preparation. Wo appreciate the interest the flight will arouse in the possibilities of aviation between Australia and New Zealand across an ocean previously traversed by air by that great aviator Kingsford Smith and party. We are sorry Mr. Menzies was unable to achieve the objective lie apparently set himself of reaching Wellington, but it is our hope to be able to greet him here personally and congratulate him on his notable feat."

Mr. Ransom sent a telegram of congratulation to Mr. Menzies to-night. " A bold attempt brought to a succesful conclusion," was Wing-Commander Grant Dalton's comment on the performance. Ho did not favour long distance sea " hops " in a single engined land machine of the type used and was of the opinion that the aviator had taken a great risk.

"It was a rcmarkablo flight," said Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, president of the Wellington Aero Club, in paying tribute to the feat. "It is the first solo trip across the Tasman and is another indication of progress in aviation and of the fact that where careful preparations are made and due care taken aviation is rapidly becoming as safe a method of transport as any other."

EXPECTED AT WELLINGTON.

TWO THOUSAND ASSEMBLE.

CABLEGRAM FROM SYDNEY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION-] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. It was believed locally that Mr. Menzies was making for Wellington and, although his departure from Sydney was practically unannounced, about 2000 people, including Captain Stedman and members of the Wellington Aero Club were waiting at the Rongotai Aerodrome at three o'clock. At 2.55 p.m. a telegraph boy arrived with a cablegram addressed Roy Menzies, Aerodrome, Kilbirnie, Wellington." It was sent from Sydney at 11.25 o'clock this morning.