AVIATION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20234, 12 May 1931, Page 9

AVIATION.

SOUTHERN CROSS. KINGSFORD SMITH'S TRIUMPH. (united rsr.sa association—bt electkio telegkaph— corvßiQirr.) (Received May 11th, 10.20 p.m.) DARWIN, May 11. The Southern Cross arrived at 12.45 this afternoon with fifteen ba gs of mail, also passengers. Air-Commoclorc C. E. Kingsford Smith describes Akyab as the worst place in the world, but the message does not state in what respect. He says that Darwin is a paradise compared with either Akyab or Koepang. The Southern Cross and also another aeroplane sent from Brisbane to pick up the overseas mails resume the flight to Brisbane at daybreak.. [On April 21st, when leaving Sydney for Koepang to take over from the damaged City of Cairo the first Lon-don-Australian air mail, Air-Commo-dore Kingsford Smith said: "We simply must put up a good show. This old bus (the Southern Cross) knows the roqd so well that I believe she could nose her way over the Timor Sea without a pilot. It is up to us i.o show the British Government we can be relied on to handle this end of this important mail service." He lias achieved his purpose with the efficiency of nn express train. Within five da.v.s ho had flown to Koepang and back to Darwin, crossing the Timor Sea twice. Two days later lie crossed it again, taking with him the first Australian and New Zealand air mail to an Imperial Airways liner at Akvab. He reached his destination on May 3rd. It was reported on May Bth that he lintl taken over the mai| at Akyab and was leaving Singapore that day for Sourabaya. There was no further progress report of his homeward flight. Altogether lie has flown about 9000 miles —a great airman.]

ARCTIC ROUTE. COST OP RESCUING EXPLORER. ('Received May 11th, 11.52 p.m.) LONDON, May 11. The estimated cost of rescuing Augustiue Courtpuld i £20,000, including heavy insurance policies on the rescuers. Captain Ahrenberg is keeping in touch with the party, read; to provide provisions.