GISBORNE TO AUCKLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16701, 5 April 1922, Page 5

GISBORNE TO AUCKLAND.

A PIONEER FLIGHT. (Special to the ‘‘ Star.’’) AUCKLAND. April 4. The pioneer air journey from Gisborne to Auckland was successfully accomplished this morning by a, do Horiland 9 limousine from the Canterbury (N.Z.) Aviation Company’s Sockburn aerodrome. Piloted by Captain M W. Buckley, with Captain L. H. Brake. Messrs J. E. Brosnahan and H. Barker as passengers, the “firefly ” left AYaikauae Beach, Gisborne, this morning at 6.30 in perfect weather with a cloudless sky. .Favoured by a good atmosphere and excellent, visibility, a good altitude was quickly reached, and within half an hour the “ firefly ” was travelling over the ranges at an altitude of nearly 9000 feet. Opotiki was reached 5 minutes later, and the air •journey was continued along the Bay of Plenty coast. Vhakatane was passed at 7.45. Tepuke half an hour later, and Waihi at 8..50. At this stage clouds were encountered for the first time, and the min in. o' town was only faintly visible. The journey was continued, about 1500 feet above the clouds to Thames. li, was not until after passing Alangere that the aviators caught the first glimpse *ol Auckland. Flying along the coastline. the machine passed Remuera. Above Mount Eden, and round on to Cornwall Park, where a good landing was made. The actual flying time from town to town, a distance, of 240 miles, was 3 hours 20 minutes.

The death is announced of Air Harriisli M.’Lcan, for many years a prominent settler oi the Ashburton County. Mr AT*Lean, who was the second son of the late Air .John AT Lean, of the Bueclench Station. Ashburton, was for some years the owner of the Mount Hutt Station, near Methven, which be farmed with great success until a few years ago, when he disposed of the property. Since then Mr AT’Lean' resided at Waimate.