FLIERS OFF ON DOMINION TOUR BY AIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 7

FLIERS OFF ON DOMINION TOUR BY AIR

PLANS FOR FUTURE NOT YET ANNOUNCED [ Per Press Association ] CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 14. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Licut. Ulm, with Messrs Litchfield and McWilliams, left Sockburn with Captain Findlay and Captain Buckley in three ’planes to-day for Blenheim. The departure was taken at 2.30 p.m. in the face of a gusty north-east wind. Indications were that higher up the wind would be north-cast, and that the flight would be slow and bumpy. Leaving their hotel for the aerodrome, they passed to their car through crowds of cheering people, and hundreds were at the aerodrome to witness the departure. There were hundreds of others who were too late, because the party left half an hour earlier, owing to the head wind. Before leaving to-day Squadronleader Smith sa d if he and FlightLieut. Ulm went to England, it would not be by air. They were not ambitious to fly the Atlantic, as others had shown it could b© done. They had plans for other flights in the Southern Cross, but he declined to state what they were.

Discussing the return flight to Australia, the leader of the party said they would leave the aerodrome at dawn and make the trip in daylight. The ’plane would reach Richmond aerodrome after dark, but a safe landing could be made because they were familiar with the lay-out of the landing ground. ‘‘We have had quite enough of night flying,’’ added the airman. The airmen will spend about a month in Australia and then leave for America and then leave for America to personto personally thank Mr G. A. Hancock for his gift of the Southern Cross. The ’plane may be shipped to Honolulu and then flown to America, but will eventually be returned to Australia, and will probably find a home in one of the museums.

WARM WELCOME FROM PEOPLE OF BLENHEIM FLIERS MAY LEAVE THERE ON RETURN TO AUSTRALIA [ Per Press Association ] BLENHEIM, Sept. : 1. Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith, Flight Lieut. Ulm, and Messrs Litchfield and McWilliams, accompanied by Captai. Findlay d Buckley, were welcomed by an enthusiastic err. 1 of 5000 when they landed at the Blenheim municipal aerodrome this afternoon in three Bristol lighters, in the first stage of what bids to be a triumphal aerial tour of New Zealand. The scenes that accompanied the landing of the r. thorn Cross at Wigram were reproduced 1 "0 on a smaller scale and the airmen were overwhelmed by the wannness of the reception. After landing ;.t 4.45 p.m. the flyers were : -•orded a civic welcome by the Mayor and chairman of the Marlborough County Council, and also by the president of the Marlborough Aero Club. The aviators, in the course of their replies, heartily congratulated Blenheim on its enterprise in forming an aero club, declaring that no other town of its size in Australia or New Zealand hi.d shown such progressiveness. They would be glad if their visit had assisted the movement in any way.

In the evening the visitors were guests at a Mayoral dinner, when great enthusiasm was again shown by a gathering representing all the local bodies in the province.

Squadron Leader Smith expressed deep interest in the suggestion advanced that the Southern Cross should take off fro Blenheim on the return to Australia, stating that the facilities offered had already been brought to his notice, and if a field could be found in Marlborough to suit his requirements, hewould seriously consider the possibility c leaving there for the return over the Tasman. Departure from Marlborough would reduce the journey by two hours, which would be an important consideration. After the function the fliers visited a picture theatre to witness t’ c first screening of the films of their arrival in Christchurch. One machine, in landing, damaged the tail skid, but it is expected to be repaired by the morning. PROUD SCHOOLBOY’S AIR MAIL LETTER SOUTHERN CROSS BEARS BIRTHDAY GIFT [ Special “ Chronicle ' Service I AUCKLAND, Sept. 14. The proudest boy in Auckland ,if not New Zealand, at the present time, is Desmond Wilson, aged 12, of Hepburn Street, Ponsonby, for he received a letter which was brought over from Sydney in the first aerial post bag across the Tasman by Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight Lieut. Ulm. Desmond, who is a scholar at Beresford Street School, was naturally surprised and overjoyed on going home for lunch to receive a letter which was from his father, Mr A. J. Wilson, well-known in theatrical circles in New Zealand, who, for the past four years, has been manager of the Grand Opera House, Sydney. As no special aerial stamp was used on any of the letters brought to New .Zealand by the Southern Cross, the letter bears a Now Zealand stamp and a Christchurch postmark, where it was personally posted by Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith. In the letter was enclosed a pound note for Desmond Wilson’s birthday, which falls on Thursday next.

When the letter was taken to school this morning and shown to tho school teachers, great excitement and interest was manifested. It is the intention of Mrs Wilson to ask Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith to autograph the letter when he visits Auckland next week. Tho letter is headed: “By first aerial mail, per kind favour of

Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight Lieut. Ulm, carried on the Southern Cross on the flight from Australia to New Zealand.” AIRMEN REPLY TO CONGRATULATIONS government thanked FOR MONETARY GIFT [ Per Presu At>6oc!atT.n. 1 WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. The Prime Minister has received tho following messages from the aviators in reply to his telegram of congratulat ion: “Wo desire to thank you and the. Government ard citizens of New Zealand for your telegram congratulating us. If our self-appointed task of demonstrating tho safety and utility of long distance flights has met with success, we are happy. Through us the Prime Minister, Governor-General, and people of AustraFn send greetings, and we carry a letter to you Yom Mr Bruco ivh'ch we will deliver in Wellington. We gratefully thank yourself and the Government for the magnificent grant of £'ooo and desire to assure you that such money will enable us to conduct further experimental flights which, we are hopeful, will be of value to Empire aviation.” —Kingsford Smith and Ulm.”

“My sincere thanks to you and the people of New Zealand for your very kind message of welcome.’’—McWilliams.