LONG FLIGHT MADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21285, 12 September 1932, Page 10

LONG FLIGHT MADE

JOURNEY OF 11 HOURS AUCKLAND TO CENTRAL OTAGO I LANDING MADE IN DARK Only about 11 hours ■were required on Saturday to make a-journey by aeroplane that with tho other means of transport available would have taken at least three to four days. The feat was accomplished by a Hermes Spartan machine owned by Now Zealand Airways, Ltd., piloted by Squadron-Loader T. W. White and carrying Mr. H. M. Mackay, manager of the company, and Mrs. Mackay as passengers.

Leaving Mangere aerodrome at six o'clock. on Saturday morning, the aeroplane made the final landing at Lake Hawea, 10 milos from Pembroke, in the dark shortly after 7 p.m. In a special telegram to the Herald Mr.' Mackay said the journey was a difficult- one against continuous head winds. Stops for refuelling were made at Ilawera, Blenheim and Ashburton. From Blenheim to ICaikoura heavy clouds were encountered.

The flight i 3 one of the longest attempted in New Zealand in ono day, especially with three persons in the machine. The speed of the journey is emphasised when consideration is given to tho times required to make it by train, boat and motor. Taking the quickest possible means so as to avoid delays occasioned by having to spend a week-end en route, tho party could leave Auckland by the limited express at seven o'clock on, say, Monday night, for Wellington, where they would embark next evening for Lyttelton, arriving in Christchurch next morning. Dunedin could be reached by train at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and unless the journey was continued by private car, a stay would have to bo made there for the night. The train journey to Cromwell in Central O'-ago is an all-day affair and it is customary for travellers to spend the night there, although private cars could carry them on to Pembroke, which would be reached late oe Wednesday night.