TURNED BACK.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12950, 15 May 1935, Page 5

TURNED BACK.

SMITHY OVER THE TASMAN. LOST A PROPELLER. Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, This Day. A message received from the Southern Cross, timed at 8.30 a.m., stated that the ’plane lost its starboard propeller and turned back to Sydney. Its position was 35.55 south and .160.15 east. STARTED ALONE. (Received 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. While mechanics were making last-minute adjustments to the monoplanes Southern Cross and Faith-in-Australia for the takeoff on the Jubilee air mail flight to New Zealand Sir Charles Kingsford Smith made an announcement that only the southern Cross would make the trip. Making light of the double burden of the Faith in Australia’s mails and freight and her own previously allotted load the Southern Cross left Richmond Aerodrome at 12,20 this morning. The announcement of the change of plans was a climax to efforts all day yesterday to secure a navigator for the Faith in Australia, following the withdrawal of Commander Bennett, through illness, and the refusal of the Navy Board to release Lieutenant commander Hal! to navigate. The crew of the Southern Cross now comprises: Kingsford Smith, John Stannage and Captain Taylor. The weighing of the mail and freight last night revealed that the Southern Cross could take the combined load of both machines without overtaxing the “Old Bus.” It was windy when the Southern Cross took off. Flares were burning at intervals along the runway. The night was cold and clear. The Southern Cross will cruise at 90 miles per hour. It is expected to reach New Plymouth about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. There are 34,009 letters aboard in additicn to freight. The ’plane’s mails, freight, fuel and crew make a total weight of 14,000 lbs. LEFT IN EARLY HOURS. SYDNEY, May 14. The New Zealand and Australian weather authorities having reported a marked improvement in the weather conditions, over the Tasman Sea the Southern Gross and Faith in Australia will leave according to schedule for New Zealand about 4 on Wednesday morning. The Southern Cross nagivator. Mr Bennett, is unable to make the trip and Sir Smithy will be obliged to do his own navigating as his request for a special man from the Navy has been refused by the Navy Board