FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15993, 9 December 1919, Page 2

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA.

MESSAGE FROM ROSS-SMITH

Australian and, N.Z..Cable Association. MELBOURNE, December 8. A Sydney Sun cable received from Boss-Smith dated Singapore sth, says; “I am working on the machine preparing for the last stage. _Ye have discarded most of our kit, and some spares, taking only necessities. Bractb cally the whole population have visited the machine.” . Cabling on the 6th, early m the morning, he says; “We saw' the ern Crete, and regarded it as a good omen. We left at 7 o’clock, a large crowd seeing us off from the small racecourse. The machine lifted splendidly, and after circling the City wo proceeded south along the coast' of Sumatra. The country was all dense jungle. The passage was very bumpy, and some rain fell. We pasted over the Thousand Isles to Tangerang, then the railway post of Batavia, and arrived at Kalidgat© at 4 o’clock. We had an enthusiastic welcome and a reception by the GovernorGeneral. Flying officers presented laurel wreaths. We hope to reach Sourabaya to-morrow.” SYDNEY, December 8. Boss-Smith cables from Sourabaya on the 7th: “'.We left Kalabjati at 7.30, and arrived at Sourabaya at noon after an uneventful and good trip. The aerodrome was on new reclaimed laud, and very soft. After larding, the machine sank to the axles, and wc had great difficulty in getting it out, and than got bogged again. Eventually we had to build a bamboo road for the machine. With 200 coolies employed, it took seven hours to push the Vimy 500 yards. We are all right now, and in the morning will build a road of bamboo mats for taking' off. The greatest assistance was given by Dutch officers and local officials, including the British Commissioner, Mr Dalton, We hope to reach Brine Soomtawa on the Bth, Atambooa (Timor) on the 9th, and Darwin on the 10th. Ye will then take a few days’ rest. The crew are all well, but very tired, especially the mechanics, who work wonderfully well, sometimes all night. Hie Yimy is going beautifully. LONDON, December 4. Wilkins arrived at Taranto on Wednesday.