Aerial Expioration.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1921, Page 4

Aerial Expioration.

ADVENTURER IN CENTRAL

SYDNEY, Nov. 2.

Compared with the laborious progress overland bv ear mf on a bicycle, -Mr Ernneis Birth's has per aeroplane completed the last Stage iff his rough survey of the country to be traversed bv tho proposed North-South nuJwn> ii, remarkably quick time. 'Bu! ii entailed at least one unpleasant experience quite new to tills hardened man of adventure. Ewan Adelaide he penetrated fm up into Central Australia, beyond Alice Springs, which lie in ibe MaoDonnoll ranges, sit the* southern end of tlie Northern Territory. Tlie return journey between Alice Springs am Oodnadlta. one of the largest inland settlements to tb north west, of Lake Eyre, entailed travelling for some distance over a. raging Are. which was devouring miles and miles of spinifex grass and in the midst iff a violent, storm. “From the ‘plane,’ ” he declared afterwards, “the deep orange curtain of llano- seemed to lie encircled by a complete rainbow, apparently lying flat on Hi* earth far down below. Stinging stabs of rain and bail struck us out of hit atunisphere of intense heat. The heavy work it was compelled to do made the omdne overheated. I’ilot Briggs was having a hot time in the cockpit-, and was busy controlling the plunging dives of the ’plan*. Tlh- peals of thunder could ho heard, even abate the inightv roar of the ongi' e. Me descended to 100 D feet in order ot cool tho engine, and found rain, fire-dust and sand swirling along in a chaos. The ’plane was fighting stubbornly over the int-isiblo bulwarks made by the air currents driven upwards by breakaway cliffs and barren hills.”

“Flying over tracts where the tires had exhausted themselves.” Mr Biitles said, “the ravages of the flames were most distinct from the air, anil the party could sis- almost the replica of the burnt trees in tho white ashes on the ground. Again, we could see mark ed otit distinctly tlio outline of burnt animals, probably camels. The carrying trade between Oodnadnlta and Alice S|*ings is very large, and to us there appeared to lie one long string of camels, the whole way.”

Despite its dangers and discomforts, Mr Birth's is convinced that in the future all survey parties for railway purposes will he preceded by a party in an aeroplane. “1 am confident,’ he said, “that if an aeroplane survey party is usel in eonnortion with the Northern, th railway Hue. hundreds of thousands of pounds on construct ion will he saved. T could see on this visit how enormous a saving would ltavo been effected if' the survey of the present line from Qtiorn to Oodnaxlatta and had made on the advice iff n man in air.”