CHE PACIFIC FLYERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20432, 12 June 1928, Page 9

CHE PACIFIC FLYERS

OTHER SEAS TO CONQUER. the TASMAN NEXT. NO UNNECESSARY RISKS. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, June 11. The airmen will arrive at Melbourne on Wednesday, and immediately afterwards they will fly to New Zealand. They will then continue their circumnavigation of the globe over stretches of ocean hitherto not traversed by aeroplane or airship. They will not take unnecessary risks, which Captain Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm assert are the cause of accidents, and are harmful to aviation. Captain Kingsford Smith’s parents will accompany him on the flight to Melbourne.—Australian Press Association. OFFICIAL WELCOME AT SYDNEY. A HUGE GATHERING. SYDNEY, June 11. (Received June 11, at 11 p.m.) The Pacific flyers were to-day officially welcomed at the Town Hall by the civic commissioners, and a huge, enthusiastic crowd packed the building and adjoining thoroughfares. Leutenant I Tim presented the log of the Southern Cross to the National Library. —Australian Press Association. MOTION PICTURES OF FLIGHT. SHARING THE PROFITS. LOS ANGELES, June 11. (Received June 11, at 10 p.m.) Mr Allan Hancock, the hacker of the Southern Cross flight, has announced that one-half of the interest in the flight motion pictures w T ill go to the two Americans, Captain Lyons and Mr Warner, and the other half to Captain Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm. The pictures of the preparatory- steps to the flight were taken by Mr Hancock’s photographer while Lieutenant Ulm, from his seat in the ’plane shot scenes of interest during the flight.—Australian Press Association —United Service. NAVIGATOR AND RADIO MAN. SUBSCRIPTION LIST OPENED. NEW YORK, June 10. (Received June 11, at 5.5 p.m.) In emulation of the example set by Australia in raising funds on behalf of Captain Kingsford Smith and Leintenant Ulm, the Hearst newspapers have opened a subscription list for Mr Warner and Captain Lyons with a contribution of 5000dol, which is regarded as an ‘‘indication to the navigator and radio man in some slight measure of the esteem in which they are held-” —Australian Press Association. WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA. THANKS EXPRESSED BY RADIO. (Pee United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 11. By radio from 2BL, Sydney, oh SunJay night Captain Kingsford Smith thanked . his unseen audience for the welcome they had given him and his companions. “ This is a very wonderful day,” he said—“ the most wonderful day in my life. You all know what it is to have ambitions, to cherish them for years, until it seems they can be nothing more than dreams, and then suddenly to have them- fulfilled. For eight years I have cherished the ambition to fly the Pacific; to-day it is realised. It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank you for the way in which you have welcomed me home. “I am particularly happy to be able to speak to you from station 2BL. I understand that many of you listening in to the station, followed us last night as we came through the storms from Suva, and after last night I can assure you I am glad to be here. We had a had time, and struck the worst weather of the whole trip, but we had confidence in one another and confidence in our machine, and we won through. “ I cannot describe my feelings when, from the sky, I saw Australia again. Once again I can only say I am very happy and very thankful. My comrades, Australian and American, join with me in expressing thanks and greetings to the people of Australia. We have been gm\ a wonderful reception. All I can say is that, if we have done anything to place Australia more prominently on tlie map, and if we have brought Australian flying before the world, then I am well Repaid.” INVITATION TO CHRISTCHURCH. A HEARTY WELCOME ASSURED. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 11. Interviewed this morning Captain J. L. Findlay, officer in charge at Wigram Aerodrome, Sockburn, said that no word had been received by him in the matter of Captain Kingsford Smith’s flight across the Tasman. “ I am practically sure that Major T. M. Wilkes, the director of New Zealand air services, has received no word either. Had he done so I would have been communicated with, as it is almost certain that Christchurch would he the landing place.” Captain Findlay stated that should the flight be made there would be ample accommodation for the landing at Wigram Aerodrome. “ I know nothing of it, certainly nothing official, but if they do try, here’s good luck to them,” said Captain Findlay. The following cable message has been sent to Captain Kingsford Smith by the Canterbury Progress League and the Canterbury Aviation Club: “ Captain Kingsford Smith, Sydney,—Congratulations on your magnificent achievement. We are gratified to learn your intention to fly the Tasman. Canterbury cordially invites you to make Christchurch, where special facilities exist, your landing place. We assure you of a hearty welcome.”