AHEAD OF TIME

Wairarapa Age, 14 August 1928, Page 5

AHEAD OF TIME

SOUTHERN CROSS LANDING AT PERTH. A RECEPTION COMMITTEE OF ONE. FINE FEAT IN AVIATION. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. PERTH, August 13. The landing of the Southern Cross at the Marylands Aerodrome on Sunday morning was remarkable for the fact that only one person was present, namely, the aerodrome official, Mr. Searle, who had marked the landing spot by laying down tw® huge sheets, which enabled the aviators to make a fine landing on a water-logged flat. “How do you do, everybody,’’ remarked Captain Smith when he was greeted cordially by the enthusiastic Mr. Searle, who hastened to explain that nobody expected the aviators two hours and a half before * the scheduled hour of arrival. Captain Smith cheerily answered: “Better be here early than not at all.” The news of the arrival spread like wildfire, and cars filled with people were soon swarming over tbe % enclosure. Mr. H. Millington, Minister #f Agriculture, who welcomed the aviators on behalf of the Government, apologised for the lateness, .which was due to- a confusion of times, somebody in authority having failed to realise that Perth time was two hours different from Melbourne- time. The airmen were worn and tired. Litchfield and McWilliams were cramped and unable to stand after alighting from the cockpit, but they soon recovered, faced the photographers, gathered their own luggage, and were driven to the. Palace Hotel, where Litchfield and McWilliams went straight to- bed. The aviators will be entertained by the civic and other authorities to-day, to-morrow, and Wednesday. The return journey to Adelaide will begin next Saturday or Sunday. The approximate distance from Melbourne to Perth is 2000 air miles, and this was accomplished' in 23 hours 24 minutes. It was the first non-stop flight across the Australian Continent, and is regarded as one of the finest feats in aviation, the more so as the aviators encountered a head wind and were never more than five minutes without rain, and were flying “Wind.” Smith and Ulm pay warm tributes to Litchfield and McWilliams.— (Australian Press Association.)