TASMAN FLIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 20539, 16 July 1928, Page 11

TASMAN FLIGHT

THE SOUTHERN CROSS. DATE OF DEPARTURE UNCERTAIN. Sydney, July 14. Lieutenant Ulm, discussing the New Zealan(l flight, stated that there was a vague possibility that it might be delayed until August 31. Organization was not by any means completed. Nothing was being left to chance. A trial flight with the Southern Cross would be held in about a fortnight. The wireless apparatus was undergoing complete overhaul, and it would be in better condition than when the aeroplane left San Francisco. Lieutenant Ulm anticipates that the New Zealand flight will begin about nine at night and the plane will reach New Zealand in 14 hours to 19 hours. Many requests have been received from various towns in New Zealand asking them to land at each particular place. This was a matter to which they were looking to the Dominion Government for guidance. Meanwhile no landing ground had been selected. A statement published to-day that Mr Keith Anderson would accompany Captain Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm on the Tasman flight was contradicted by Lieutenant Ulm, who said that the fourth member of the party will be a New Zealand wireless operator, who will be selected by the New Zealand authorities.—Australian Press Association. WIRELESS OPERATOR SELECTED. LANDING AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, July 15. Lieutenant Ulm has announced that Mr. P. H. McWilliams, superintendent of the • ni^ n Steamship Company’s wireless school m New Zealand, has been selected as wireless operator for the flight to New Zealand and he has been advised to leave for Sydney by the Aorangi on Monday. The aviators have also decided to land at Christchurch, a t Wigram aerodrome, as it is the most suitable landing place. So far the date of departure has not been decided.—Australian Press Association.