SOUTHERN CROSS

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 30

SOUTHERN CROSS

DEPARTURE INDEFINITE. WEATHER CONDITIONS UNFAVOURABLE. It was announced in a cablegram received from Sydney on Saturday morning that, provided the weather continued satisfactory, the Southern Cross would leave at 6 o’clock on that night for New Zealand. In the evening word came to hand that owing to unfavourable reports the trip had been postponed. The latest intimation is that the flight will be undertaken when the weather reports indicate good weather on the journey across Squadron - leader Smith and party are most confident that they will reach Christchurch in 17 hours, given reasonable weather. PREPARATIONS AT RICHMOND. PLANE IN PERFECT ORDER. SYDNEY, September 1. The Richmond Aerodrome, set in the midst of a sunbathed expanse of undulating farmlands, lying between the sleepy villages of Richmond and Windsor, was the scene of activity on Saturday. Mechanics were early’ astir seeing that everything was right about the Southern Cross for Squadron-leader Kingsford Smith’s flight to New Zealand. His companions—Flight Lieutenant Ulm and Messrs Litchfield and M'William—were all on the ground before noon, and the plane was given yet another test flight. Every detail of the mechanism functioned perfectly., i The firm surface of a wide field afforded an excellent runway for the take off of the heavily-laden monoplane. Then came a check in the shape of a weather report from Wellington, recording that conditions were of such a character off the New Zealand coast that -".e question of hopping off to-day became one for serious consideration. The airmen deferred a decision till the afternoon, when further meteorological reports were received. These were so unfavourable, indicating that probably half the journey would be a hard battle with a storm, that Squadronleader Kingsford Smith reluctantly decided to abandon the flight to-day, and the Southern Cross was wheeled into the hangar, where it continued to attract the attention of a large number of visi- * tors, who had come to give the adventuring aviators a warm send off. Meantime the leader, using a Moth machine belonging to the Air Force, gave the onlookers some thrills, executing various stunts though with such apparent ease that they seemed robbed of their dangerous qualities. Planes from Mascot and one from Melbourne literally dropped in during the afternoon to speed the Southern Cross on its way. Squardron-leader Kingsford Smith and his mates had to make a few remarks for the inevitable broadcast and to run the gauntlet of autograph hunters. They then managed to retire behind the barrage of “ pressing business,” while the people moved homeward, regretful that the airmen had lost the opportunity of setting out in such excellent conditions as prevailed here. Among those present to bid good-bye to the airmen were Squadron-leader Kingsford Smith’s parents, Mrs Ulm, and a representative of the Government. If the meteorological reports are favourable the Southern Cross will depart at 6 p.m. to-morrow (Sunday).

MESSAGE FROM SYDNEY. 1 SATURDAY’S WEATHER FORE- . . CAST. SYDNEY, September 1. The Government Meteorologist states that an Intense southern disturbance which was over the southern part of the Tasman Sea yesterday is now east of New Zealand. The weather has moderated considerably over the Tasman-’ Sen, and strong westerlies are likely to con-

tinuc over the southern parts of the ocean. The forecast is as follows:—“ Fresh westerlies round Cape Leeuwin and from the Eastern Bight to southern New Zealand, with moderate, rather rough seas, moderating from the westward.” INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT. THE LEADER’S DECISION. SYDNEY, September 2. As a result of reports of stormy conditions off the New Zealand coast Squadron-leader Kingsford Smith late this afternoon decided to postpone the flight indefinitely. It is unlikely he will attempt the journey to-morrow, but he will start at the first favourable opportunity thereafter, independent of the moon. PRIME MINISTER’S CABLE. -.. AVIATORS THE GUESTS OF GOVERNMENT. V ELLINGTON. September 1. The following cablegram was sent bv the Prime Minister to Squardon-leadei-Kingsford Smith The New Zealand Government- extends a cordial invitation to yourself and companions to be our guests during your stay in the Dominion Mr Rolleston, the Minister of Defence, will officially meet you on arrival. We send you our best wishes for a safe and successful journey.” The Minister of Defence will leave for Christchurch tonight. METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS. UNFAVOURABLE TO AVIATORS. WELLINGTON, September 1. At 6 o’clock to-night the Weather Bureau notified the aviators of northwest to westerly winds over the Eastern Tasman Sea, reaching gale force in the Southern Tasman from Cook Strait southwards. The weather is expected to be changeable, squally, and unsettled, with passing showers. CHRISTCHURCH, September 1. The following telegram was handed in from Sydney at 1.20 p-.in. (Sydney time) to-day from Squadron-leader Smith and Lieutenant Ulm to Mi- Climie: “Just received very bad weather report; therefore improbable will leave to-night; will advise later.” IN CHRISTCHURCH. FINE WEATHER BUT PROSPECTS BAD. CHRISTCHURCH, September 2. If the Tasman Sea flyers had arrived tv day they would have been welcomed by many thousands of people, for the day was beautifully fine and warm, with a light north-west breeze. The night also was clear and quiet, though light clouds occasionally dimmed the moon, without obscuring it. A heavy cloud bank to-day obscured the mountains of the watershed, indicating stormy weather with heavy rain on the west coast,, and this storm area probably extended far north. In Canterbury the weather was perfect. For to-moriaw the prospects are definitely worse. Usually at this season a nor’-wester is followed by a sou’v ester, with cold rain. There are indications this afternoon that the wind may spring round this evening. DR KIDSON’S REPORT. - CONDITIONS UNSETTLED. WELLINGTON, September 2. Dr Kidson, the New Zealand Government Meteorologist, states that the weather conditions arc still unfavourable for the flight across the Tasman. His forecast sent to the airmen early this afternoon states: —“ Intense and extensive depression still covers Tasman, advancing toward New Zealand; still strong northerly io westerly winds, reaching gale force south of Cape Egmont and Napier and over Central and Southern Tasman Sea; winds backing to southwest soon in west Tasman Sea, and extending to east Tasman Sea and New Zealand during Monday. Weather unsettled and squally, with much cloud and heavy showers.” Another report will be sent to the airmen later. PROTEST BY MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION. , THE MAYOR’S SUPPORT. CHRISTCHURCH, September 1. , The Rev. D. Gardner Miller, addressing the Mayor (the Rev. J. K. Archer), read the following statement as the ■opinion of the Ministers’ Association:— ' “ We protest very strongly against the '■ action of the Tasman flyers in arriving here ‘on Sunday. Apart altogether from the fact that this sudden change in programme upsets all the carefully-made arrangements . for the reception here on Monday, with a consequent detrimental „ effect, on the unemployment fund, it is not in' the best interests of the Dominion that the sanctions of the day of rest should be set-..at naught.” : ’Replying, the Mayor said: “ I would like to say quite definitely that I find myself in .complete agreement <~ssith the protest ; that , has been voiced. : As. .Mayor I was- neither consulted nor ./informed ofthe-ichgpge: x>f -programme. '.,il 'Only discovered :thei ; thing,in the news- . - • cPapers this morning,;.■ • I understand that news was in Christchurch at 9 o’clock

last night. If I had been consulted then, as I think I should have been, I would have probably taken immediate steps to see if the journey could not have been made later. It - >uld probably be said that tlie church people were not obliged to go to see the flyers arrive, which was undoubtedly true, but it would unsettle the community for the whole day. It was placing unnecessary temptation in the way of the people, and particularly the young people.” We will probably be termed by some people ‘ wowsers,’ ” added the Mayor, but you will all agree that there is such a thing as Christian principles. 1 think myself that the arrival of the flyers to-morrow is an insult to the Christian community as a whole. If their arrival on Sunday was an absolute necessitv ve would still have regretted it, ’ but we would have very likely fallen into line. So far as I can see there is no need for it. The flyers have been hanging round Australia for a number of weeks.” DEPUTATION TO MAYOR. URGE DELAY IN DEPARTURE. CHRISTCHURCH, September 1. The Mayor (the Rev. J. K. Archer), replying to a deputation this morning from the Christchurch Ministers Association, undertook to send a cablegram immediately to Captain Kingsford Smith embodying a protest against the arrival of the Southern Cross on Sunday. Mr Archet added that, personally, he would not take any part in a welcome on Sunday, or allow himself to be represented by anyone. The Mayor’s cable to Sydney reads: “ Smith and Ulm, Sydney. Christchurch churchmen strongly protest against changed plans involving arrival on Sunday. I support protest. Cannot departure be delayed?—Signed Archer, Mayor.”

MESSAGES FROM AVIATORS. WARNING TO AMATEUR LISTENERS. ? WELLINGTON, August 31. The secretary of the General Post Office advises as follows :—“ In connection with the . forthcoming transtasman flight, it is to be understood that messages transmitted from the aeroplane will be mainly commercial messages and copyright press, which is not available for public information. The department will, how ever, as far as practicable, keep the public apprised of the progress of the flight by arrangement with the Radio Broadcasting Company. Unless th e aviators send out matter for general information there cannot be anything in the nature of a running commentary on the events connected with the flight. It is necessary to remind all amateur listeners who possess apparatus capable of receiving signals from the aeroplane that the amateur radio regulations expressly prohibit dissemination in any form of radio communications which are of the nature of public correspondence, such as the commercial and press messages referred to above. The position is that messages from an aeroplane are the copyright of the persons to whom they are addressed, and must not be used or even Committed to writing by unauthorised persons. Arrangements have been made with the Telegraph Department to keep operators on till 3 o’clock on Monday morning in order to enable as many progress messages from the aviators as possible to be published.” MAY VISIT DUNEDIN. AERO CLUB PREPARING. The Mayor (Mr W B. Taverner) who is also president of the recently-formed Otago Aero Club, along with several other members of the club, had an informal conference with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the Otago Expansion League, and the Manufacturers’ Association in the Mayor’s room on Thursday afternoon, and ;: as a result the club, which was established with a view to fostering civil aviation, is assured practically of the support of these bodies. There is a ‘ probability that Squadronleader Kingsford-Smith, at the conclusion of his transtasman flight, will fly from one end of New Zealand to the other, and such a flight should it eventuate. would undoubtedly stimulate public interest in civil aviation. The club, therefore, proposes holding a public meeting shortly after the arrival o.f the Southern Cross, to consider launching an appeal for public support. WEATHER REPORTS. WELLINGTON, August 31. The Weather Bureau will supply Squadron-leader Kingsford-Smith and Flight-lieutenant Ulm with reports up to the time they leave and hourly as they are flying.

BROADCASTING ARRANGEMENTS. MESSAGES FROM THE PLANE. WELLINGTON, August 31. A wireless message picked up from 2FC (Sydney) to-night stated that the Southern Cross, as far as wfts known, would hop off for tlie Richmond Aerodrome at 6 o’clock to-morrow. From the . time the plane leaves for Richmond, 2BL will stay on the air broadcasting messages received from the plane until the “ Southern Cross” reaches its destination on Sunday. From' 5 to 6 a.m. .(Sydney time), 2FC will.keep up a service ‘pf messages from tlib . plane for relay to Europe’ and also to America. A CITIZEN’S LUNCHEON.' ‘ CHRISTCHURCH',/August 31. “ I think the w gather < will be good for the flight,’’..-said Mr H. F, :i Skey,..director, of the Christchurch ; Qb- ; .-ser.vatpry, when questioned this morning.

A nor’-wester followed by a southerly buster has cleared up the atmosphere, and there is every indication of a spell of good weather with a light north-east wind.”

The only function which has been arranged so far to entertain the transtasman flyers when they arrive in Christ, church is a citizen’s luncheon Provided the flight takes place on Monday Squad-ron-leader Kingsford-Smith and hia three companions will bo the guests at a luncheon on Tuesday. This "as decided upon at a meeting of the Hospitality Committee held yesterday. It seems likelv that the stay of the airmen will be limited to a few days. A HUMANITARIAN ASPECT. ENDOWMENT OF HOSPITAL BEDS. WELLLINGTON, August 30. The Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) has received word from the directors of Sydney Hospital that at their request the aviators in their flight to New Zealand will carry four flags—the Union Jack, and. the Australian, New Zealand, and Royal Air Force ensigns—bearing the signatures of Captain Kingsford Smith and Flight Lieutenant Ulm, which, with the official messages of goodwill, will be enclosed in a package addressed to the Governor-General. Four other flags will be posted back after the flight to Sydney Hospital. The idea is that all the flags should be sold and the proceeds divided—half to Sydney and half to the four city hospitals in New Zealand. It is hoped that sufficient money may be raised to endow a “ Southern Cross ” bed in in each of the five hospitals. Mr Coates states that the Sydney Hospital has been informed that the New Zealand Government will be pleased to co-operate. “ I am sure,” Mi- Coates said, “ that the proposal will meet with a very enthusiastic and practical response so far as New Zealand is concerned. It will afford a unique opportunity to secure these flags as mementos of the first air flight over the Tasman and the completion of the air chain from Britain to New Zealand. Apart from the historical importance of the occasion there is thus a humanitarian aspect which is deservedly worthy of practical support. I desire to commend the proposal of the Sydney Hospital directors to all our citizens, and especially to the hospital boards in the four centres, more particularly- concerned.”

COMMUNICATION WITH AVIATORS. WELLINGTON, August 30. In the House of Representatives today, in reply to Mr T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland), Mr K. S. Williams (acting Postmaster-general) said the Tost and Telegraph Department expected to be in touch with the aviators when crossing the Tasman Sea, and -the results would be given to the Broadcasting Company and to other forms of publicity.