NEARING HIS GOAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 64, 9 December 1919, Page 7

NEARING HIS GOAL

ROSS-SMITH DUE AT DARWIN ON WEDNESDAY

PREPARATIONS FOR HIS RECEPTION

(By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright

Darwin, December 8. 'Elaborate arrangements are being made for the reception of Captain RossSmitli, who has cabled from Singaporo that he expected to reach Darwin, on Wednesday.—Press Assn.

[Darwin is the first port in Australia on' Ross-Smith's, route. Thence be flys via Cloncurry, (Lonyreaoh, Cliarleville, Citnnaiuulla, Bottrke, Forbes, and Albury, to Melbourne.]

DISPATCHES FROM ROSS-SMITH. (Roc. December S, 7.25 p.m.) ' • ' Sydney, December 8. A "Sun" cablegram received from Captain Ross-Smith, dated Singaporo, December 5, says: "I am working on tho machine and preparing for the last stage. Wo have discairjed most of our kit and some snares, taking only necessities. Practically the whole population have visited tho machine."

Cabling on December G, early in tho morning, he says: "We saw the Southern Cross, and regarded it as a good omen. We left at> sevsn o'clock, a. large crowd seeing , us off from tho small racecourse. The machine lifted splendidly, nnd after circling the city wo proceeded south along thp const of Sumatra. The country was all dense jungle. The passage waa very bumpy,' ami , some rain fell. We passed over the Thousand Isles to Tangorang, thence to tho railway post at Batavia, and arrived at 'Kalidgat? at four o'clock.' AVe had an enthusiastic welcome, and a reception by tihe Gov-ernor-General; flying officers , presented laurel wreaths. We' hop? to reach SouTnbiiya to-morrow."—Press Assn. (Kec. December 9; 0.20 a.m.) . ' Sydney, December 8, Captain Uoss-Smith cables from Sourabaya ;— December 7.. "We left Kalibjati at 7.30 a.m., hiiq arrived at Sourabaya at noon, after an uneventful and good drip. 'Bio aerodromo is o'ii new reclaimed land, nnd very soft. After landing, the machine sank to tho axles, and we had great difficulty in getting it out. Wo then got bogged again, and eventually had to build a, bamboo road for the machine. Wifh two hundred coolies employed, it took seven hours to push liho Vimy five .hundred yards. Wβ arb all right now, and in the morning we will build a roacl of bamboo mats for taking off. The greatest assistance was given by the Dutch office's and local officials, including tho British Commissioner, Mr. Dalton. We hope to reach Bima, Soonbawa, nn December 8, Atanboea, Timor, on December 9, and Darwin on December 10. Wo will then take a few days' rest. The crow are all well, but Very tired, especially the mechanics, who work wonderfully well, sometimes all night. The Vimy is going beautifully."—Press Assn. ■

WILKINS AT TARANTO. (H?co. December 0, 0.20 a.m.) London, December i. Captain Wilkins arrived at Taranlo on Wednesday.—Tleu ler.