TRANS-TASMAN SERVICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 9

TRANS-TASMAN SERVICE

(Continued from Page 1) FLIGHT POINTS THE WAY [ LIEUTENANT ULM’S VIEW SYDNEY, Sunday. Now That both tho outward and rcI turn flights are over we are glad that we made them in this, the worst time J of the year, as, quite apart from very valuable scientific information which we have gained on the flights, the fact | that these flights were made in such i adverse weather will, we hope, be a ' further demonstration to the public of tho safety and utility of organised I flying (writes Flight-Lieutenant Ulm :in his official message for the New ! Zealand l'ress Association). He thanks Dr. Kidson. officials and members of the Marlborough Aero Club, the Prime Minister and the New Zealand Government and people, and proceeds:— So far as New* Zealand is concerned wo are entirely satisfied that our flight has boon of practical Value, for civil flying there when we arrived was practically unknown, us so far as we know there was only one civil aircraft in the Dominion in commission. As a direct result of our visit some eight or ten new aero clubs have been formed and they will, we are contldent, under the supervision of Major Wilkes, Director of Air Services, carry on valuable work m tk.- OMIM Of avi.i tion, as has been and is being carried out by our own aero clubs in Australia. TRANS-TASMAN SERVICE Regarding the possibilities of a future trans-Tasman regular airplane service our flight has been of great technical value. At present w© know of no type of aircraft in production which is ideally suited to such a service, but we are thoroughly convinced that such a type can, and will, in the comparatively near future, bo developed, and that the information we have gained on our pioneer flight will be of value to the operators of such a service, whether ourselves or others. However, in my opinion before sueli a service is put into operation, at least a year or probably two years, of work is ahead in research and preliminary organisation. Kingsford Smith and myself hope to have some hand in this in the future. Finally, on behalf of Smithy and myself, we would pay the highest tribute to Messrs. Litchfield and McWilliam for their part in our flights. In their different spheres they have displayed the highest skill, initiative, resource and endurance, and their team-work with us has been the keynote of our success.

“CHEERIO, NEW ZEALAND" MESSAGE FROM ULM SYDNEY, Sunday. The Tasman aviators slept soundly until noon to-day. They awoke refreshed and in great spirits. Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Ulm motored to Richmond and conversed with the airdrome officials. They received an ovation from thousands of enthusiastic spectators and motorists who remained till nightfall. Kingsford Smith had a hurried glance over his “faithful old bus.” and saw that everything -was “0.K.” He received congratulations from scores of admirers, and his arm is now stiff with handshaking. Lieutenant Ulm, on behalf of Smith and the crew, sent a message to New Zealanders. He said they were delighted at their safe journey, and heartily grateful to the New Zealand Government and Dr. Kidson for tlieit 1 great help and hospitality. They were equally thankful to the people of Blenheim and the Marlborough Aero Club for their hospitality right up to the last minute. Ho concluded: “Cheerio, New* Zealand.” Lieutenant Ulm did not know what had become of Messrs. McWilliam and Litchfield after the landing. He added: “We had not more than 30 gallons of petrol left in the Southern Cross when we landed ” When reminded that Smith had said only three gallons, Ulm replied: “No, I think not more than 30; anyhow, we have not measured it yet.”