SECOND EDITION. FLYING VENTURE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17146, 31 December 1929, Page 8

SECOND EDITION. FLYING VENTURE

ENGLAND TO N.Z. EFFORT OF MR. CHICHESTER PRELIMINARY EUROPEAN TOUR Although secrecy marked the departure from Croydon, England, of Mr. I'". 0. Chichester, the .New Zealand aviator, on his attempted ilight to New Zealand, news of the contemplated adventure is contained in the Jutro morning newspaper, Yugoslavia, on November 3, when Mv. Chichester was in Yugoslavia in the course of a flight through Europe. Copies of the newspaper containing a report of Mr. Chichester's flight have been forwarded to Auckland from Ljubljana, and have been translated by Mr. M. E. Simich. The article is headed, "Daring Venture of New Zealander," "How Mr Frank Chichester Started His European Tour." The article reads: "From Ljubljana aerodrome a New Zealander, Mr. Frank Chichester, started his European flight. He flew to Ljubljana from riokah, Whore he remained for 10 days. He also visited Belgrade and Zagreb. Repairs to his machine necessitated his stay at Ljubljana. Mr. Chichester is a daring adventure, although only 2B years'" of age He lias now decided to fly round the world. Beginning in April lie started from Wellington for America. He spent some time at Hollywood and then went on to New York and to London.

"In order to hasten his tour of Europe he purchased a He Havilland Gipsy Moth, in which he started 14 days ago. He flew across to Calais, Paris, then to Marseilles, Geneva, and Benatki (on the Italian border). Here the authorities, who are always opposed to Yugoslavs' interests, advised him not to go among the 'Balkan cannibals,' but Mr. Chichester took no heed of such ill advice, and took off the same afternoon to continue his tour. "Half an hour after his departure he was force! to make a landing at Blokah, in Yugoslavia, owing to engine trouble. In the course of the descent the wheels hit the ground heavily and caused damage to the propeller. Further flight war, impossible until the damage was repaired. The people of Ljubljana immediately came to his help, and Mr. Chichester soon realised that these people were not 'cannibr.ls,' but showed themselves exceedingly kind and considerate. They did everything in their power to help him. Although they could not understand each other's language, they fully understood each other's thoughts and' kindnesses. "During his stay in Ljubljana Mr. Chichester came into contact with the commander of the Divisional Air Force, who at once took steps to procure a new propeller from Berlin, winch arrived in five days. Meanwhile Mr. Chichester became socially popular with the community of Ljubljana and he felt as happy as if lie Were homo in New Zealand.' On the fifth day the machine was completely repaired and he spent feomc time in' stunt flying and. taking the Mayor, Mr. Stanko Lenarcic and other officials aloft. Finally he thanked the commander and the people ic# the kindness extended to him. He told them that his stay was a very pleasant and memorable one. He then departed visiting the following places: Zagreb, Belgrade, Bucharest. Jassey, Cornoyic, Lavoy, Warsaw, Kingsberg, Berlin, Lipsk, Calais, and London, from where he intends to fly back to New Zealand.