THE SOUTHERN CROSS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 10

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

PROBABLE LEAVING DATE

APPRECIATION OF WELCOME PRESENTS FOR AIRMAN'S BABY The probable date of the return flight from New Zealand to Australia by the monoplane Southern Cross will be between March 7 and 10, although it had not been definitely arranged that the flight would be made, stated Sir Charles Ivingsford Smith last evening. Discussing a suggestion that he should leave for Australia from Muriwui Beach instead of from the Ninety-Mile Beach, Sir Charles said that owing to the extra distance involved this would not be practicable. Muriwai Beach was about 50 miles further from Australia than the Ninety-Mile Beach and because of the treacherous nature of the weather ov6r the Tasnian Sea that extra 50 miles might mean the consumption of an extra 50 gallons of benzine. Every single factor had to be taken into consideration on such ;i flight as that, and so much less distance to travel was so much less worry about tho supply of fuel. Appreciation of tho enthusiastic welcome by the public of Auckland during the week-end was expressed by Sir Charles, who said it had surpassed any he had experienced in New Zealand. "It would be difficult to eclipse the record number of passengers taken up on Sunday," he stated. "To carry out 34 trips in one day in the course of a tour by air is just about as much as is physically possible," he added.

The Southern Cross made 22 flights yesterday, carrying about 320 passengers. Referring to tho demonstration of appreciation by a large crowd at Mangero aerodrome in the afternoon, Sir Charles said that after ho had spent tho whole day taking money from the crowd for passenger flights they stood and cheered him. This, lie said, was the best expression of goodwill that could have been given. This morning Sir Charles will have a rost from his strenuous spell of flying and intends to spend the day fishing 011 the Manukau Harbour. He said the number of gifts received from the people of New Zealand for his son was growing rapidly and he already had 120 rattles, besides other articles. lie wished to express his gratitude to the generous well-wishers.

In continuation of its Dominion tour the Southern Cross will leave Mangero for Whangarei at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

VISIT TO WHANGAREI KEEN INTEREST AROUSED [FROM OCR OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Monday The arrival of Sir Charles Ivingsford Smith and tho Southern Cross in Whangarei on Wednesday morning is being eagerly anticipated by the residents. Various sub-committees appointed by the Whangarei Aero Club have finalised arrangements for the visit. The weather appears to bo settled, and there is every indication of a, record crowd to welcome the famous airman and his machine. The work of preparing the Reclamation landing ground was completed at the week-end, and it is stated that the ground is eminently suited for the landing and taking-off of (he Southern Cross. There is also ample space, apart from the ground required for the Southern Cross, to accommodato spectators and motor vehicles. The Mayor, Mr. W. Jones, will accord Sir Charles a civic reception on the ground immediately after his arrival.

HISTORIC AEROPLANES MACHINES AT HAMILTON [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday A flight of aeroplanes will welcome Sir Charles Kingsford Smith on his arrival in the monoplane Southern Cross at Hamilton on Thursday. The aeroplanes will include the de Souttar monoplane Aorangi, which was flown from England to Australia by Messrs. Kay and Piper, and the de Ilaviland Moth biplane Kia Ora, which was flown from England to Australia by Mr. Oscar Garden. These two historic machines, together with the Southern Cross, will form a unique combination' of famous aeroplanes. The de Souttar will be piloted by Mr. S. J. Blackniore, of Hamilton, and the Kia Ora by Mr. T. Million, of Hamilton. Another local aeroplane, a Blackburn Bluebird, piloted by Dr. M. M. ffockin, superintendent of the Waikato Hospital, will take part in the welcome. On landing at Mr. J. A. Steele's aerodrome at Rukuhia, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith will be welcomed by Mr. S. C. Mackv, chairman of the Waipa County Council, and Dr. F. D. Pinfold, Mayor of Hamilton, in his capacity as president of the Waikato Returned Soldiers' Association. FLIGHT OVER TE AROHA COMPLIMENTARY DETOUR [from our own correspondent] TE AROHA, Monday Advice has been received by the Mayor and the Te Aroha Aero Club that the Southern Cross will make a detour over the Thames Valley on Thursday on its way to Hamilton from Whangarei, so that Te Aroha inhabitants may be given an opportunity to see the monoplane. It had been hoped that the landing field selected by the club at Waitoa would be suitable for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith lo make a short landing there and meet the residents. After an inspection, however, Captain G. B. Bolt, in the Waco itender aeroplane, pronounced the field too rough for such a purpose. The Mayor, i\lr. R. Coulter, extends the good wishes of Te Aroha to Sir Charles and states that he greatly appreciates (he thought which makes possible the flight of the machine over the town.