THE AIR RIVALRY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 9

THE AIR RIVALRY

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA POSTPONED

UTTER LACK OF PROPER ORGANISATION (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyrißlit London, Juno ]•■!. The anxiety of tho crew of the Blackburn' "Kangarou" aeroplane, to start for Australia immediately revealed an utier lack of prDpcr'arrnngPincnU lor attempting to ■•win ■" Iho 'JMtUWU prize. When Uendel, Smith, "and"Atnddocks entered; the, authorities:of the Aero Club and the Air .Ministry pointed out that the route hnd not. been surveyed, and there wore, no supplies of petrol. It would be difficult, owing to tho monsoons,.and imposfiiblo to promise, any help.east of Delhi. Also, the-war was still on .in France. Italy did not welcome promiscuous flying. There was even a- chanco of having to face anti-aircraft guns on the Continent.

The Kangaroo's crew replied that they wertv willing to chance it. •The matter was then referred to Mr. Hughes, who held a' conference to-day, at which- Senator Pearee, Colonel Williams, and Commander Perrin, of the Aero : Cliib, and Colonel. Buckley, were present. •.■ ,■•■..-. .-••'• . Tho conference, fully discussed the organisation . for the .flight, and decided that.the present arrangements were such, as did not afford reasonable, enfety, and must.be postponed, till September S. Mr. Hughes, 'interviewed,, summed up the decisions, .of the. conference thus: ■

"Firstly, the, Aoro Club -would be tho judges whether the ■conditions had been complied with; Secondly, all machines entering must, have a.'flying radius- of five hundred miles; " Thirdly, .they, must 'carry a competent navigator; • ' Fourthly, they must carry the spare parts necessary; ■ Fifthly," prior to Ihe.flight the Aero Club should be satisfied that properly marked landing places for petrol were availablo throughout the route; ' Sixthly," in order that competitors should , iibt : 'be financially prejudiced by delay, 'the Government would enrol them in the Australian Flying Corps. The' Australian Government, will afford compelitiors , facilities for, attending tho navigation •■'course;- which'-the Air Ministry is arranging. Any; other competitors whose machines .the Aero Club consider.? air worthy will be entitled' to similar privileges.—A.us.-N.Z. Cable. Assn. ■ . .■ "."'•" .' ■