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Southland Times, Issue 22490, 26 January 1935, Page 5

RETURN JOURNEY

FAMOUS AVIATOR SIR C. KINGSFORD SMITH GLAD OF A REST (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, January 25. Having spent two months in the United States, following his great flight across the Pacific, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith is returning to Australia by the Monterey. He has not yet recovered from the nervous disability which has troubled him since the flight, and said to-day he would be glad to get home for a rest. Sir Charles said the Lockheed-Altair plane in which he flew the Pacific had not yet been sold and had been left at Burbank (California) in the hope of a better offer being made. Though he might be criticized he was more than ever convinced that American machines were the most efficient for commercial aviation and the most suitable for Australian conditions. During his visit he had travelled 6000 or 7000 miles in them. They had a cruising speed of 185 miles. He remarked on the great growth of air transport in the United States, saying the total mileage for one month was no less than 23,000,000. His own flying during his long career amounted to only about 750,000 miles. Mr J. W. Stannage, the radio operator, and his wife, are also on the Monterey. Sir Charles has had a cable from his wife stating that she will welcome him at Sydney Heads from the Southern Cross.