DUNEDIN PEOPLE REGRET VISIT OF AIRMEN ABANDONED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18577, 27 September 1928, Page 6

DUNEDIN PEOPLE REGRET VISIT OF AIRMEN ABANDONED.

RETURN FLIGHT COULD NOT BE JEOPARDISED. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, September 26. Dunedin people waited in vain this • morning for the hoisting of the flag at the Town Hall as an indication that the Tasman flyers had left Christchurch on their southern journey. Although previous reports had -clearly shown that abandonment of the flight was not improbable, there were still many who were hopeful of seeing the men whom New Zealand had so enthusiastically acclaimed as heroes. As no information regarding the movements of the airmen was received at the Town Hall in the early part of the morning, it seemed almost certain that the flight was not to be attempted, but it was not until eleven o’clock that official word was received that, as the result of bad weather, the flyers had been delayed. Early in the afternoon a telegram was received from the airmen themselves, stating that they had been compelled to abandon their visit. The telegram stated:— “It is with sincere regret that we must abandon our proposed visit to Timaru. Oamaru and Dunedin. First, particularly bad weather conditions made it impossible for us to leave Christchurch to-day, and, second, we have received advice from Dr Kidson (Government Meteorologist), informing us that there is a possibility of our securing fairly good weather conditions for our return Tasman flight during the next few days, and, therefore, as wo could not leave yesterday or today, we would be jeopardising our chances of a successful flight back across the Tasman by delaying here any further. Several test flights with the Southern Cross must be made, both at Christchurch and at Blenheim, and these will take up all the available i time prior to our departure. Will you please convey to citizens our sincere appreciation of the very many congratulatory letters and telegrams which we have received, and assure hem on our behalf that we made ;very possible endeavour to visit your city.”