CLOUD-GAZING IN VAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1933, Page 10

CLOUD-GAZING IN VAIN

HAWERA PEOPLE DISAPPOINTED. • SOUTHERN CROSS NOT SEEN. : A cloudless blue sky on Saturday morning led Hawera people to anticipate a good view of the Southern Cross. In accordance with an announcement made the day previously it was generally expected that the giant monoplane would pass over the town about 10.30 a.m. x . As the time drew near most people were out of doors, many seeking vantage points from which to watch. The watertower, the fire station look-out and the taller business buildings all nad their little groups of:gazers. A general air of expectancy gripped the people on the streets and all . eyes searched the cloudless Sky. By 11.30 o’clock when the clear blue still remained clear, blue it was realised that nothing was to be hoped for and disappointed citizens moved again about their business. • • When questioned by a Daily News reporter, Mr. W. G. Walkley, secretary of the Hawera Aero Club, stated that Wilfrid' Kingsford Smith, who is Sir Charles’ brother and business manager of the New Zealand tour, had. given his definite assurance that the Southern Cross would appear over Hawera in the course of its mountain flight “I discussed the matter with Mr. Wilfrid Kingsford Smith on Friday,” said Mr. Walkley, and in accordance with his promise that the ’plane would pass over Hawera an announcement to that effect was issued in Hawera for publication.” From further inquiries it was learned that the Southern Cross left Bell Block aerodrome; at 10.30 o’clock for a 75-mile flight- with a full. complement of passengers. Sir. Charles piloted the plane over the ranges on the New Plymouth side of the mountain and for a time flew “blind” owing to thick mist and cloud. An altitude of approximately 8000 feet was reached and at one stage of the flight the clouds parted, giving the passengers a magnificent view: of the summit. The plane proceeded in close proximity to the mountain and passed ro P 1 “ to the Stratford side,, thence to the Bell Block aerodrome, which was reached at 11.50.