LONGEST FLIGHT ON RECORD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 17

LONGEST FLIGHT ON RECORD

PLANNED BY BRILLIANT AIRMAN

SMITH’S SEIZED ’PLANE “RELEASED” United Press Association—Bv Elect rir. Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 9, 7.15 p.m.) LOS ANGELES, November 9. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, speaking of his intention to fly back to Australia via the East, said: “I shall fly 17.000 miles to Australia this time. This will be one of the longest flights in the history of aviation. I would much prefer to make my way home by boat in a leisurely manner, but I think that plans are just about materialised for me to fly from Los Angeles to New York, thence to London, and from there to Australia.” Well Earned Rest. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith to-day boarded the exploration cruiser Velero 111., owned by Captain G. Allan Hancock, the wealthy oilman and explorer, who financed the 1928 flight of the Pacific. Sir Charles plans to rest aboard the cruiser for several days. Attachment On Plane Lifted. The attachment on the Lady Southern Cross was lifted to-night following a conference between Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s attorney and counsel for Thomas H. Catton. Sir Charles admitted that Catton had an agreement to act as promoter for himself and Mr C. P. T. Ulm in 1928, but declared that Catton failed completely in his efforts to finance the flight, and thus had no claim against him. Catton charged that he spent 750 dollars on behalf of Sir Charles, and asks for an additional 1000 dollars for his services. The issue is expected to come to a speedy trial. Irony tinged the homage paid to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at Los Angeles on Monday, when the Lady Southern Cross was attached, and an action filed against him in the Municipal Court for 2750 dollars, by Thomas H. Catton, a promoter, who alleges that Sir Charles became Indebted to him for that sum while in California in 1928. Catton claimed that he performed “work and labour services and advanced money” in connection with the preparations for the first flight from California to Australia. The claim was indignantly denied by Sir Charles who immediately made arrangements for defence of the case.