AWARUA ARRIVES AT AUCKLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24162, 26 June 1940, Page 4

AWARUA ARRIVES AT AUCKLAND

72-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AS PASSENGER

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, June 25.

The oldest person to cross the Tasman by air, a 72-year-old Auckland resident, Mrs E. L. Tappenden, was a passenger on the flying-boat Awarua on its flight from Sydney to Auckland today. The officials also consider it probable that Mrs Tappenden, who was accompanied on the trip by her son, Mr R. ,G. Tappenden, is one of the most elderly women to make a long transocean flight, at least on any of the Empire routes. It was not Mrs Tappenden’s first experience of air travel.' On a number of occasions she had been a passenger in Moth machines piloted by her son in New Zealand, but she had never before attempted a flight of such length. Throughout the 1300mile journey she was delighted with the swiftness and ease of the travel and the comfort and facilties provided for the passengers in the flying-boat. After reaching Auckland she confided that she would look forward to another opportunity to make a trip. The Awarua, which was commanded by Captain Oscar Garden, was scheduled to leave Sydney for Auckland on Thursday, but her departure was advanced by two days at the request of the New Zealand Government. The flying-boat took off from Sydney at 4 a.m. local time and landed at Auckland soon after two o’clock. The flight was, for the most part, at an altitude of 9000 feet and headwinds were encountered for about half the journey. In addition to Mi and Mrs Tappenden, Mrs E. Bland was a passenger. A relatively small quantity of mail and about 701 b of freight were carried.