RETURN FLIGHT MAY BE DELAYED

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 10

RETURN FLIGHT MAY BE DELAYED

Kingsford Smith Will Wait For Good Weather. TRIAL FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN CROSS OVER CHRISTCHURCH ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON. TOUR TO DUNEDIN BY BRISTOL FIGHTERS NOW DEFINITELY ABANDONED. THE southern tour of the Tasman flyers has been definitely abandoned. This decision was reached by Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith this morning after Captain J. L. Findlay had returned from the Conway River. Before the airmen take off for Blenheim, the Southern Cross will do three or four test flights over the city. The first will take place to-morrow afternoon, when the machine will be flown over the Sanatoria at the Cashmere Hills. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith has decided to make this flight so that the bed patients, who were unable to meet him on his visit there, will have a chance of seeing the monoplane. Mr S. F. Napper, a friend of the pilot, will be a passenger on this flight. It is not certain now that the airmen will leave. Christchurch for Blenheim on Friday afternoon. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith said this morning that the return flight to Australia would not take place until there was a prospect of meeting with good weather. In view of the unfavourable reports from Dr Kidson, it was quite possible that they would not leave Christchurch on Friday. “ We are not going to do anything foolish,” he added, when pointing out that they would not leave until there was distinct prospect of success. He said that they did not intend to stay at Blenheim very long, and they would stay at Christchurch until they could reasonably expect good weather. Squadron-Leader Smith added that even when they did get to Blenheim, they would not be able to take off until a good weather report was received. “It might be like your stay at Richmond?” asked the reporter. “ Yes, it’s quite possible. We’re not going to leave anything to chance,” he replied.

CAPTAIN FINDLAY ARRIVES SAFELY.

After a trip of a little over an hour. Captain J. I.- Findlay and Mr H. A. Litchfield arrived at the Wigram Aerodrome from Claverley at 10.15 o’clock this morning. The flight was without incident, and the conditions, save for a head wind, were fairly good. The repairs to the engine of the aeroplane took very little time, with the result that Captain Findlay was able to get into the air at 9.10 a.m. He found the ground on which he landed at Claverley .quite suitable for the purpose, and had no trouble in getting away. His arrival was watched with inter* est by a large crowd of people, most of whom had gone out to see the Southern Cross.

BIG CROWD WAITS OUTSIDE HOTEL TO SEE FAMOUS FLYERS.

A crowd of about 200 people waited patiently outside the United Service Hotel to get a glimpse of the flyers this morning. The ribbon decorated car, with its Australian flag in front indicated that Kingsford Smith was inside, so a crowd of hero worshippers waited. Men, women and children stood patiently, stirring expectantly when the revolving door moved.

ENGAGEMENTS OF FLYERS CUT DOWN TO A MINIMUM.

The engagements of the flyers have been cut down to a minimum in order that they shall be as free as possible to attend to the testing of the Southern Cross. The only definite engagements for to-morrow are the presentation function at the R.S.A. in the afternoon and the ball in the evening.

POSTPONEMENT WAS EXPECTED AT AERODROME.

Conditions at the Sockburn Aerodrome this morning looked very unpromising for the southern trip, and no surprise was caused by the news that the flight would not be undertaken to-day. Captain Findlay arrived back at the aerodrome just before the blustering conditions set in. He had not long been landed before the conditions were such as to make it unsafe to leave aeroplanes out in the open, and all the machines were wheeled back into the hangars. A few light rain showers fell and the sky to the south looked very dark and threatening.