ULM HOPS OFF

Southland Times, Issue 22297, 12 April 1934, Page 7

ULM HOPS OFF

TASMAN FLIGHT HEAD WINDS LIKELY UNFAVOURABLE REPORT HEAVY MAIL CARRIED (Cnitecl Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 10.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 11. Flight-Lieutenant C. T. P. Ulm took off in the Faith in Australia with air mail for New Zealand at 5.7 p.m. from Richmond. The weather was cool and occasionally overcast and showery. A postal mail van arrived after lunch loaded with 39,000 letters weighing slightly more than scwt. The Weather Bureau’s forecast prior to departure was discomfiting. There were dense cloud formations over the Tasman and strong head winds over practically the whole route. Flight-Lieutenant Ulm remarked before leaving: “It looks like a long, hard flight. We may have to turn back, but we will not be far over the Tasman. If such a decision is necessary, arrangements have been made for us to land at Richmond by flares." The crew includes Messrs G. U. Allen (co-pilot, navigator and wireless operator) and R. T. Bolton (engineer). A rain-sodden aerodrome necessitated a longer take off than usual. The monoplane took 700 gallons of petrol, sufficient for 23 hours’ flying. The destination is New Plymouth. The flight is expected to occupy from 16 to 18 hours. EVERYTHING GOING WELL REPORT FROM MONOPLANE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 1.0 a.m.) Sydney, April 11. It was difficult to obtain information in Sydney to-night concerning the progress of Flight-Lieutenant Ulm’s Tasman flight. However, Mrs Ulm, who received messages, reported at 10.15 p.m. that the monoplane was still heading for New Zealand. Everything was going well. She added that her husband expected to be met by military aeroplanes which would take the mails to the principal cities of the Dominion. He hoped to return to Australia on Saturday or Sunday. . Prior to leaving this afternoon FlightLieutenant Ulm received a telegram from Mr H. Brown, Commonwealth Director of Postal Services, wishing him the best of luck. The telegram was much appreciated. _ Some difficulty was encountered in. starting the starboard engine, causing a delay of 50 minutes. A hearty cheer was given by a small crowd when the Faith in Australia rose gracefully after a splendid take-off. A private message received from Mr Allen aboard the monoplane said that at 9.26 p.m. everything was O.K. with them. NO PROGRESS REPORTS RECEIVING PLANT NOT INSTALLED. (Per United Press Association.) New Plymouth, April 11. Beyond the announcement by cable received by an oil company official that Flight-Lieutenant Ulm left Sydney for New Plymouth at 5.7 p.m., Sydney time, no news of the progress of the flight has been received as no arrangements were made, as before, for a short-wave receiving plant at the aerodrome. „ . , . The cable stated that the Faith in Australia was carying 650 gallons of petrol and 37,106 letters. The weather was clearing at Sydney, but the forecast was not good. Clouds and rain were expected over the Tasman with head winds. Provision had been made for a night landing at Sydney should a return prove necessary. It is expected that Flight-Lieutenant Ulm would arrive between 8.30 and 10 a.m. Aeroplanes are in readiness to hurry the mail to Auckland, Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Canterbury.