NO ILL EFFECTS

Southland Times, Issue 20617, 16 October 1928, Page 7

NO ILL EFFECTS

TASMAN CONQUERORS PLANS FOR FUTURE NOT SETTLED EARLY RETURN TO AMERICA (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 9.45 p.m.) Sydney, October 15. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant C. T. P. Ulm to-day showed not the slightest sign of the gruelling perilous Tasman flight. Interviewed, Kingsford Smith said: “Our future plans are not definite. We are going to America before long, primarily to thank the donor of the Southern Cross for all he has done for us. We may fly part, but not all the way,. possibly from Honolulu. We are accepting an invitation to attend the International Aeronautical Conference at Washington in December. We don’t want to talk of ocean flights for some time. Theoretically I don’t believe in making them with land machines.” Kingsford Smith paid a warm tribute to the skill of Messrs McWilliams and Litchfield, and added: “Mac did wonderful work.” The leader found words inadequate to express his appreciation of New Zealand people and the Government. “Even when I lost a fiver at the races on some horse that ran up a lane they insisted on refunding it. That’s hospitality if you like,” he said.—Australian Press Association. MESSAGE FROM MR COATES. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 15. One of the first messages to be received by Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith after the Southern Cross reached its destination was one from the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates). It read as follows: “New Zealand heartily congratulates you and your companions on the successful accomplishment of the return trip across the Tasman. We are delighted to know you have arrived safely and we extend our good wishes for your future efforts in promoting the progress of aviation, towards which you have already so largely contributed.”