OFF TO AUSTRALIA

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11132, 15 February 1930, Page 5

OFF TO AUSTRALIA

DARING NEW ZEALANDER. ANOTHER PROPOSED FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright LONDON. Feb. 13. Mr. Charles Purnell Parker.sun, of Dean street. Auckland, to-day flew from Lyinpue to Brooklands, where he Is installing extra petrol tanks in his. all-metal. Gypsy Moth in which he intends to fly to Australia. it will have a flying range oi 15 to 20 hours, and a cruising speed ot 90 to 100 miles an hour. He is taking off about February 23. He intends to christen the 'plane, which is painted silver and saxu blue. ‘‘Silver Heels.”

Mr Parkerson only qualified for a pilot’s license recently. He was learning at Lympne.

STEADY PROGRESS OF N.Z. AIRMEN. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright LONDON. Feb. 13. The New Zealand airmen, .Flying Officers Piper and Kaye, arrived at Malta last evening, and left to-day for Tobruk, Tripoli. (Press Association.} AUCKLAND, Feb. 14, Ylr. Charles Purnell Parkerson was horn in Canterbury fiity years ago and left for England in March last on business connected with the flax industry. For many years lie was a prominent businessman in Rotorua, and later lie was enmloyed bv Messrs. Booth, Macdonald Ltd. at Hamilton. lie also travelled for that firm in the North Auckland district some years ago. He was a prominent bicycle rider and pigeon shot. Ylr. Parkerson|s interest in flying dates back a few years, when he was taken up for a flight from the V igram aerodrome at Christchurch. When iu England on his present trip, he started to fly in Norfolk and on Christmas day last gained his flying certificate." He is marred, without a family. His wife is at present living with her mother at Hikutia, in the Thames district. His brother, Mr. A. L. Parkerson. lives at 11 Dean Street, Auckland.