EPIC FLIGHT ENDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20431, 11 June 1928, Page 8

EPIC FLIGHT ENDED

(Continued.) NEW ZEALAND'S TRIBUTE. MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION. UNBOUNDED DELIGHT EXPRESSED. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, June 9. No time was lost by the Government in despatching messages of congratulation on behalf of New Zealand to Captain Kingsford Smith and his companions, and to the Commonwealth Government. The following telegrams were -sent to Captain Kingsford Smith ■and to Mr Bruce, the Australian Prime Minister, respectively as soon as the news of the safe arrival of the plane was received in Wellington this morning:— “ Captain Kingsford Smith, Brisbane. —All the citizens of New Zealand -join with the Government in expressing to you and your gallant comrades our warmest felicitations upon the successful termination of your spleided achievement. We offer you our heartiest congratulations «n being the first to blaze the great Pacific Ocean air trail. Kia Ora.—Coates, Prime Minister.” “ Prime Minister, Canberra —New Zealand desires to be the first to congratulate Australia upon the wonderful feat successfully accomplished by her intrepid sons and their companions in pioneering the air route across the vast expanse of the mighty Pacific Ocean. .The Government and people of this Dominion join with the Commonwealth in rejoicing that this wonderful conquest has been achieved under the leadership of two gallant Australians. Remembering our comradeship-in-arms of Anzac days and our other close associations as members of the Great British family beneath the Southern Cross, New Zealand is particularly proud and pleased that this epoch-making flight has been made by . her kinsmen on the other side of the Tasman Sea—J. G. Coates.” • MR BRUCE’S MESSAGE. THE FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION. FIVE THOUSAND POUNDS. SYDNEY, June 10. (Received June 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Bruce, in a message to Captain Kingsford Smith, at Brisbane, pays a tribute to the airmen’s great achievement, and announces that ijhe Federal Government is contributing £SOOO. BACKER’S GIFT. SOUTHERN CROSS PRESENTED. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LOS ANGELES, June 8. (Received June 10, at 5.5 p.m.) As a token of friendship and a tribute to their successful flight to Australia, Mr G. Allen Hancock, the financial backer, has made a gift of the Southern Cross, and will discharge all indebtedness to Captain Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm.—Australian Press Association. MESSAGE FROM LONDON. FURTHER CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, June 9. (Received June 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Ryrie, on behalf of Australians in

London, has cabled Mr Bruce to convey their heartiest congratulations to Captain Kingsford Smith on his great achievement. —Australian Press Association. SYDNEY’S WELCOME. “A STUPENDOUS CHORUS.” RECEPTION AT AERODROME. Sydney, June 10. Received June 10, at 11 p.m.) Thousands of people enjoying an outing at the harbour and suburban resorts had a wonderful view of the Southern Cross as it reached Sydney. It came cross the Heads, and swooped over the city en route to the Mascot Aerodrome, where 150,000 voices joined in a stupendous chorus of welcome to Captain Kingsford Smith and his intrepid comrades at the conclusion of their epochal flight. The giant Fokker led the escorting aeroplanes across the city, and the landing was effected with wonderful facility. Captain Kingsford Smith’s father and mother w r ere the first to welcome the airman as he stepped from the machine. Then Lieutenant Ulm’s parents welcomed him. The Americans, Lyon and Warner, were warmly acclaimed by the crowd, and Captain Kingsford Smith, in the course of his remarks, said that he could not have done the flight without them. Lieutenant Ulm’s comment was “We could do it again.” Governor General Stonehaven and Governor De Chair were introduced to the airmen, A large force of mounted police with 600 foot comrades had little trouble, as the crowd seemed to appreciate the needs of the position and was most orderly. After the official reception the Pacific flyers were motored round the grounds so that the huge crowd could see and shout congratulations to them. The men responded with nods and smiles, but displayed litle emotion, which was not surprising at the end of a long journey. The actual flying time from Oakland to Sydney was 88 hours llmin. Captain Kingsford Smith received a cable from President Coolidge congratulating the party on the accomplishment of the fight, and' adding that their brilliant courage strengthened the bonds between America and Australia. A BROADCAST ADDRESS. CAPTAIN KINGSFORD SMITH’S THANKS. PRAISE FOR COMPANIONS. “One thing I would like to stress, and that is the fact that the flight has not been an individual effort may part,” said Captain Kingsford Smith in a broadcast address from 2BL, Sydney, that was heard clearly in Dunedin at 11.20 o’clock last evening, and was relayed by telephone from Radio Services Ltd. to the Otago Daily Times office. “ I am very deeply indebted to my companions—especially my American friends, who tended the engines,” he added. “ Believe me; when one is coming through a storm with nothing but ! tumbling water beneath, it is comfoV' ing to know that one is backed by chappies who—as the Americans would put it—arc doing their stuff. My two old folks are very happy to-day. It has been a happy reunion for them, for they have been with us every milts of the way. That is one reason why I am glad the flight has been brought to a successful conclusion.”

A STORMY TRIP. HEAD WIND ENCOUNTERED. EARLIER RADIO REPORTS. WELLINGTON, June 9. The Radio Station at Wellington has been keeping in touch with the movements of the Southern Cross in its flight from Suva to Brisbane, receiving hourly reports of its position. At 1 a.m. the plane was 708 miles from Brisbane and in a head wind. By 3 a.m. the distance from the goal was reduced to 555 miles, by 4 a.m. to 489 miles, and by 5 a.m. to 408 miles. The secretary of the General Post office has received the following message from the radio station at Wellington, at 8 a.m.:—The following is from the Southern Cross, addressed to “ Sunflight, Sydney ”:— “ Here we are, nearing the Australian coast, now in good weather, after a rotten night. We have been tossed off our course so much during the night that I shall not be surprised if we are quite a distance from Brisbane when we strike the coast, unless Warren can get some radio bearings. Cheerio! ” (Signed, Ulm, Southern Cross.) Awanui Wireless Station supplied the following reports of the progress of the flight: “At 9 a.m. the Southern Cross states she is one hour and a-half from Brisbane, her speed being 74 knots, altitude 1000 ft, revolutions 1530, visibility excellent.” At 9.15 a.m. the following was received from the Southern Cross, addressed to “Sunflight, Sydney”:—“lt is now 8.50 a.m. (Suva time), and if my calculations are correct, we will land at Brisbane about 10.30 (Suva time), or between 8.30 and 9 (Brisbane time). These last few hours always seem the longest, and Smithy and self are just aching for a smoke. Altitude 1000 ft, visibility excellent, air speed 74 knots, just strolling along.” (Signed Ulm, Southern Cross.) PACIFIC AVIATION. AEROPLANES FOR FIJI. SUVA, June 9. Whilst waiting for the take-off at Naselai sands the aviators discussed plans for planes for future Pacific flights. They themselves are interested in an idea for a plane, and may develop it. They think the Fiji Islands are ideal for Moths fitted with floats.—Australian Press Association. WATCHFUL GUARDS. SOUTHERN CROSS PROTECTED. SUVA, June 9. On the night of the arrival at Suva Captain Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm awoke at midnight and decided to see f the plane was all right on Albert Park, about 200yds from the hotel. Approaching the plane they were held up by the Fijian police guards, who refused to allow them near the machine. They returned to their beds confident that no harm would come to the plane witl) such efficient guards.—Australian Press Association.