COBHAM'S MISSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17155, 4 October 1926, Page 7

COBHAM'S MISSION

LINKING UP THE EMPIRE A PLEA TO ENGLAND. "A NATION OF AVIATORS" (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Oct, 3. A multitude heard Cobham tell his own story of the flight by wireless from 2LO. He again emphasised the point that there was no question of making a record or a "stunt" flight. On the contrary, the chief object was to try to kill the "stunt" flying. He declared there is nothing clever in people being able to fly. "So loni as people think it is clever we shal'. never succeed in making headway," he said. "Th© flight has been a demonstration of the reliability of aeroplanes, because there was no suggestion throughout the trip of any mechanical failure." Cobham concluded by stating that he is overwhelmed by London's reception and is proud of having stimulated interest, which he hoped would be permanent in Britain. Britishers, he said, should become a nation of aviators. Cobham and his wife this evening attended the theatre, where Cobham was recognised. He was given a great reception and was compelled to make a speech. Cobham op the doub'.e journey was actually 321 hours aloft. Everyone is amazed that he reached home in 26 days, because be faced the worst part of the monsoon season. . The newspapers unanimously pay tribute to Cobham's achievement. The Daily Telegraph says: "It now remains for the people of" Britain and the Dominions to profit from his experience, and set to work to organise the air routes of the Empire." Tb e Times declares: "More than any other living aiiman, Cobham has brought home to the British public the possibilities the future holds in store of knitting more closely the scattered units of "the Empire." DETAILS OF FLIGHT Details of Cobham's flight from tbe time he left Melbourne on August 30, until bis arrival in London on Friday, are as follows: August 30: Melbourne to Adelaide, 400 miles. August 30: Adelaide to Darwin, 1600 miles. September 4 : Darwin to Koepang, 500 i miles. / September 6: Koepang to Benang, 1299 miles. Septdmber 8: Penang to Rangoon, 810 miles. September 9: Forced by bad weather to land at Puket. September 10: Detained at Victoria Point by monsoon. Septdmber 16: Still detained. September 19: Rangoon to Calcutta, 640 miles. September 20: Detained by bad weather. September 21: Calcutta to Allahabad, 450 miles. September 22: Allahabad to Delhi, 350 miles. September 23: Delhi to Karachi, 850 miles. September 24: Karachi to Chabar, 410 miles September 26: Chabar to Basra, £4O miles. September 27: Basra to Bagdad, .270 miles. September 28: Bagdad to Athens (via Alexandretta), 1255 miles. September 30: Athens to Marseilles, 1025 , miles. . '.'. October 1: Marseilles to Paris, 420 miles. October 1: Paris to London, 195 miles. Total homeward journey, 11,410 miles.