THE FLYING MEN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11960, 11 December 1919, Page 5

THE FLYING MEN.

BOSS SMITH AT DARWIN. LONDON TO DARWIN IN 23 DAYS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Weltevcreden, Dec 10. Boss-Smith landed at Atamboewa, Timor, at 3.30 on Tuesday afternoon and left at 8.20 this morning. Darwin, Dec 10. The cruiser Sydney wirelessed that Ross-Smith passed over the cruiser 180 miles north of Darwin at 3 p.m. to-day. Darwin, Dec 10. Captain Ross-Smith arrived at 3.50 o’clock this afternoon. Melbourne, Dec 10. A shoal of telegrams has been despatched^to BossSmith pn the completion of his great achievement. The Defence Department approved the use of Flemingtou racecourse as a landing ground. Mr Hughes refused a request to permit Ross-Smith to include Sydney in the aerial itinerary. He cabled Boss-Smith suggesting the presentation of the machine to the Australian war Museum. ROSS-SMITH’S ACHIEVEMENT. ACTUAL FLYING TIME: 5 DAYS 4 HOURS. Received Doc 11, 9.35 a.m. Darwin, Dec 10. Boss-Smith crossed ; the coast of Australia at 20 minutes past 3 o'clock this afternoon, and less than half an hour later landed on Australian soil at Fannie Bay aerodrome, and the flight from London to Australia was over. Tbe aviators have still to cross the continent, but that is a minor matter after crossing parts of three continents and of two oceans. The actual flying time from London to Darwin was 124 at pn average speed of about 85 miles hourly. . Darwin was on the tiptoe of exnectatiou all day. The first actual news that the aviators had begun the last stage of the journey was given by a wireltss message from Koepaug in Timor, stating that tbe aviators spent the night at Timor, and were then leaving for Darwin. At 1 o’clock the warship sighted the machine 180 miles from Darwin and flying strong. As soon as the news went round, crowds went to the landing ground, where everything was in readiness. The pilot took for his landmark the lighthouse at ;Point Charles, 16 miles from Darwin, and those on board sighted it when 40 miles away and flying at 6000 feet. The gigantic aeroplane came straight for the aerodrome, gradually coming down to about 1000 feet, while the guiding mark in the centre was picked out nearly 20 miles away and the lauding was perfect. The machine flew straight over the ground with one of the, pilots waving Ibis hand to the crowd below, and then circled round and swooped down like a settling bird, a short run and a long journey was finished, and the Commonwealth prize was won. Before Boos Smith, neat and clean-shaved, and with his uniform spick and span, was allowed to leave the machine and shake hands with Lieutenant Fysh, who welcomed him on behalf of the Defence Department, he had to be examined by a quarantine officer.

INTEREST IN LONDON. London, Dec 10 The keenest interest is shown and warm newspaper tributes are accorded to the accomplishment of the flight. General Sykes, interviewed, described it as a brilliant and wonderlul pioneer undertaking', and complimented the Australian Government on initiating the enterprise.