HAD WONDERFUL TIME ON TOUR OF THE NORTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 12

HAD WONDERFUL TIME ON TOUR OF THE NORTH.

FUGHT-LIEUT. ULM PRAISES N.Z. AIRMEN. “A wonderful time—absolutely wonderful/’ That was the way Flight-Lieutenant Ulm summarised the experiences of the fliers on their northern tour. “The main impresion 1 got,” he added, “was the wonderful enthusiasm of everybody. It exceeded anything we had ever thought of. It was most remarkable in every way.” Asked what were the outstanding impressions Jie had gained from the tour, Lieutenant Ulm at once mentioned the Aero Clubs. “We were very pleased,” he said, “that at all points we called at local aero clubs are being formed or have already been formed.” “The air conditions in New Zealand," he said, in answer to another question, “will always be rougher than in Australia, for the reason that, the country is so much more'mountainous, but there is no reason why there should not be a regular air industry here as there is elsewhere in the world.” Discussing the flight back to Christchurch, Lieu tenant-Ulm said that the conditions were very rough, particularly between Wanganui and Blenheim. On the trip to Christchurch yesterday the aeroplanes encountered strong head winds. “These,” he said, referring to the machines in which the flight was made, “are war-type, machines designed to stay in the- air only two and a half hours. If wc had had machines capable of staying in- the air for' seven ! hours we would not have delayed | anywhere.” lie added that the party knew quite well when they hopped off j from Blenheim that they were going | to be in the air as-long as the machines ! could possibly stay aloft. ! The visiting airmen 'are enthusiastic j in their praise <>f the New Zealand Air ! Force. “1 think." said Lieutenant Ulm, “tliat our tour round New Zealand is a ! good demonstration to the New Zealand j public that, your New Zealand Air • Force personnel can go through a y>ruI gramme like ihis without hitch or j j bother. We can only speak in terms j | of the highest, praise of Captain Find-i | lay and < 'aptain Buckley, who arc exI cellent pilots and jolly fine chaps.” 1 The discussion turned again for a mo-) ! meat to Blenheim, and the other northern centres visited, and Lieutenant Ulm was again enthusiastic as he recalled the incidents of the tour. “The deceptions were absolutely overwhelming.” he said. “We enjoyed our visits -to Rotorua and Wairakei, and 1 only wish we could have been there longer ” The ground at Blenheim from which it is proposed the Southern Cross shall take oft on its return to Australia, has particularly appealed to the aviators. “They have prepared for us,” said Lieutenant Ulm, “one of the best takeoff runways we have ever seen anywhere. It measures 6000 feet of perfect surface one way, .and from 2000 feet to 3000 feet in other directions. Another reason : for our decision to take off front Blenheim is that it is 200 miles nearer our objective. “The enthusiasm of the Mayor and <>f (‘aptain Chandler had resulted not only in the preparaI tion of a wonderfully efficient runway. I but had resulted, also, in the erection i of a temporary hagar to house the Southern Cross in case the airmen should be delayed at Blenheim. . “Of all the aero club people we have met in New Zealand,”, he said, “and we have met most of them, we think Blenheim are most to be commended for their enthusiasm and resource." Mention was made of the fact that Sir Charles Wakefield had given an Avr<> Avion machine to New Zealand, and Lieutenant Ulm was asked what he. considered would be the best use to which this gift machine could be put. “Well, while it. is none of our busi ness,” he responded, “the machine could be sent to no better place than the Aero Club in Blenheim.” The takeoff which the Southern Cross would use, 1 he said, was not the Aero Club’s ordinary ground, but he thought that the club aerodrome, when completed, would be quite suitable for all the purposes of the club. “We regret,” said Lieutenant Ulm. " that there is a possibility that we will not be able to go to Dunedin because of the weather conditions.” Dr Kidson, Government meteorologist he said, had informed them that it was important that the Southern Cross should be got to Blenheim at the earliest possible moment. The weather conditions were such that an opportunity for making the return flight would perhaps be offered within the next five or six days. If that period was permitted to elapse, it -might mean that the aviators would have to wait a month before they would again get suitable conditions for crossing the Tasman. Therefore, however much they might regret it, if the flight to the south involved delay, it would have to be abandoned. WILL HELP THE SOUTH. "As far as we in Canterbury are concerned,” said Mr P. R. Clitnie, secretary of the Reception Committee, discussing the prospects for the southern flight, “we wish to see, the. flight to Dunedin carried out. We are quite prepared that any engagements in Cantei-

bury should stand down t« enable this to be done.” Canterbury, he added, would do everything possible to assist the southern folk to get a visit from the airmen, and to that end the ball that has been arranged for Thursday evening could be put off till Friday evening if this would be of any assistance. If the weather prevented the flight being made, it could not, of course, be helped, but Canterbury would do everything possible to prevent the people in the south from being disappointed.