Just About Going.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 73, 29 April 1929, Page 7

Just About Going.

Australian Press Association.

The Condition Of The Southern Cross.

SYDNEY, April 28. The Southern Cross and crew pro-' sented a changed appearance vh«n. they landed at Richmond. The madnne and the men were bearing evidence of the hazards and hardships to which they have been exposed during the month since they started the flight for England. "Ho-.ir are you going, Smithy?"sbouted someone ahove the general clamour of welcoming friends. "We are just about going," repliecf Kingsford-Smith. Drawn faces, with new lines graven thereon, tell more clearly than words how the four men suffered during their adventure. The reunion of the families was invested with a graver and more tquching character than any of the previous returns. "We have had a prettv rough spm," said Kingsford-Smith, adding that all felt ntimb. That was understandable,1 ■ the day, though fine was bitterly r,o!(l on the ground, and it must have heen freezing aloft. All the crew ara still feeling the effects of tlieir experience and rau not stand the strain of continued effort. Though' the Southern Cross looka-' shipshape to an ordinary observer, critical eyes soon discover many things needing overhaul. Kingsford-Smith hopes, however, that the reconditionmg will not take long, so that thev can make a fresh start on the flight to England. Captain Holden; of the air liner Canherra, is of opinion that Hitehcock's hod.v will he found near the Kookaburra. Referring to the Southern Cross, he said he "believed most of the search planes flew too high, so that while their field vision was widened objects on the ground became indistinct. The Canberra's crew looked fif on arrival at Alascot, but had felt the cold severely.