PACIFIC FLIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21937, 22 October 1934, Page 10

PACIFIC FLIGHT

FIRST STAGE COMPLETED SAFE ARRIVAL AT SUVA DASH TO BEAT DARKNESS CONTINUATION TO-MORROW By Telegraph—Pres9 Association— Copyright (Received October 21. 6.28 p.m.) SUVA, Oct. 21 Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and [Captain Taylor landed safely at Albert Park Aerodrome at dusk in the Lady Southern Cross, having thus completed the first stage of their flight across the Pacific. The machine was sighted at four minutes past six. It circled twice and then made a perfect landing. The airmen reported having met rain and clouds after passing Noumea. They sighted Fiji when 10 miles from Navua. The machine will be overhauled tomorrow and leaves at nine o'clock on Tuesday morning. The park was cleared of all wires and fences in anticipation of the arrival. The Government had installed floodlights. Cars had been ranged round the ground and flares were prepared, but all proved unnecessary. The airman had to push tho machine to a speed of 180 miles an hour in order to arrive before dusk. Great anxiety was felt at tho late arrival of the airmen. There were heavy clouds and visibility was poor. In circling tho ground for inspection of it, the airmen narrowly missed the houses on the hill. Sir Charles stated later that in suddenly turning the engine on he omitted to make allowance for the altitude of the hill. Sir Charles paid a tribute to his navigator, Captain Taylor. He said they took a sight of the sun late in the afternoon. It was a poor sight. Nevertheless by dead reckoning they hit Fiji 20 miles from Suva. Captain Taylor modestly said: " It was 'by guess or by God.' " Sir Charles replied: " It will do mo." Sir Charles remarked that the landing ground was an emergency one onlv, being very restricted. " Fortunately," ho said, "every feature of it was indelibly impressed on my memory as the result of my previous flight." Tho run of the Lady Southern Cross after landing was 200 yards in length. Fijian soldiers are to guard the aeroplane during tho night.