AMUNDSEN'S FLIGHT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18415, 23 June 1925, Page 9

AMUNDSEN'S FLIGHT.

'PLANE BACK AT BASE.

NORWEGIAN APPEAL FOR FUNDS. Y CABLE— rRESS ASSOCIATION—COrTRIQDT.) AUSTRALIAN- AND S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received Juno 22nd, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, June 22. A radio message from Spitsbergen states that aeroplane N2>">, on whi;h Captain Amundsen flew back from the Polar regions, reached King's Bay after a successful flight. All aro well OSLO, June 21.

With reference to rumours in foreign newspapers, tho Norwegian Aeronautic Association states that Captain Amundsen made no statement about his future plans. A number of prominent people, including tho rremier, the .President of tUfi Storthing, and Dr. Xanscn, havo issued an appeal for subscriptions for the Amundsen Norwegian Geographical Research Fund.

LABRADOR SERVICE.

AUSTRALIAN'S

ADVENTURES.

GREAT FUTURE FOR FLYING. (SPECIAL TO "thk thess.") AUCKLAND, Juno 22. Some interesting observations, based on actual experience in the uso of aeroplanes in ico and snow-clad country, were made by Mr F. Sidney Cotton, a young Australian who is a through passenger by tho Aorangi to Sydney. For tho past four years.Mr Cotton has been at tho head of a commercial company which has been running aeroplane services in Newfoundland and Labrador, and additional interest is lent to his remarks in view of the exploits of Captain Amundsen. Mr Cotton believes that tho day lias como when it is easier to fly aeroplanes over ico and snow-covered country than over country experiencing normal conditions. Ho served with tho Naval Division of the Air Force during the war, and his lovo for flying prompted him to look around and seek other uses for flying machines during peace. He saw great prospects for tho commercial use of the aeroplane in countries where transport was prolonged and arduous during the winter months, and floated a company in Newfoundland in 1920.

The pioneers in flying in ice country learned much through hard experience during the first 12 months, and at the end of that time had perfected their machines so that tliey could withstand any kind of Arctic conditions. The problem was solved when they found a way to keep tho engines warm" arret equipped the machines with special skids.

Mr Cotton stated that there were eight machines in use, and they easily withstood the rigours of the Labrador winter. On occasions flying was done in a temperature 40 degrees below aero and thero were no mishaps. -The aeroplanes were/ put to manv interesting uses. They wero cinplnv"! on tho seal grounds in locating sc''

of seals and reporting their positions <> the seal ships. They also carried mails and provisions to lonely outposts in Labrador.

"With special equipment the aeroplanes were able to land in snow that could not be walked upon. Mr Cotton said they carried mails and provisions to places where, if the engine had broken down, it would have taken the crew six months to get. back to civilisation. Again, aeroplanes delivered mails to outposts in five hours, where dog teams took 83 days to cover the samsi ground. Tho headquarters of the company were at Botwood, 7n Newfoundland, near to the Grand Falls. Operations were carried on until 1924, when the Newfoundland Government refused to subsidisu the company, and its activities ceased.

Mr Cotton believes that with properly equipped machines, it is easier_to fly in ice and snow, country. There are so many more landing places. He said he believed that the explorers would not have the slightest difficulty in reaching the North Pole with machines such as wore used in Labrador. During the four years' operations in Newfoundland , and Labrador there was not one serious mishap. "There is a great future for flying in Australia," said/Mr Cotton, "and a great future for Australia if flying is adopted there. The aeroplane to-day is at the stage at which the motor-car was 20 years ago. I believe that in 23 years aeroplanes will have developed to a far greater extent than the motorcar has." ,