DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PEP. PRESS ASSOCIATION. .TASMAN SEA FLIGHT. AUCKLAND, September 1. Captain Robert Robertson, late ol the Australian Air Force, who is now resident in Auckland, announces that he is preparing to make a seaplane (light from Auckland to Australia. He states he lias for some time been working on a scheme and studying the air route and the weather conditions. The date of the attempted flight will be December 23rd next. He has found that that period of the year will have cleared the monsoons over Tasman Sea and that the weather conditions will be most favourable. Captain Robertson will use a Do Tlaviland 450 li.p. convertible machine, which will he specially constructed for the flight. An extra petrol tank is to he affixed to carry 125 gallons of benzine. The seaplane will accommodate two passengers beside the Captain. It is intended to take an assistant pilot and a third person. It is estimated that the dash will occupy from 12 to 13[ hours, at an average speed of 100 miles an hour. The take-off will be from Hobsonville, and the route will be directly across the Tasman Sea. with the intention of landing at La Perouse, Botany Bay, on the East (‘oast of Australia. The (light will he made under the. New Zealand flag. Captain Robertson stales that the venture will he purely a private one. The aid of no Government is being invoked. The machine to be used in the flight "ill arrive in Auckland within three weeks, when the Captain will get into form, preparatory to the first attempt to fly to Australia. HAMILTON CASES. HAMILTON. September 1. In the Supreme Court Albert James Madden, of Maugaorango, was charged with incest, and was found guilty after three-hours’ retirement. The jury previously disagreed. Sentence was deferred. Alfred Crosscy was sentenced to two years’ gaol for uttering counterfeit coins. CHRISTO H URCII T! ROA DC A STI NO ST AT TON. CHRISTCHURCH. September l. The first programme from 3YA.. the new Christchurc-li broadcasting station, was given to-night. The listeners declared the reception was satisfactory. Cablegrams were received from Rarotonga and Chatham Island reporting good reception. TfMARU HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT. TIAtARU, September 1. A Royal Commission, comprising Mr ,T. Marslibanks (Chairman), Mr J. Blair -Mason, and Mr D. Hoklerness. is sitting hero, taking evidence on the proposed harbour improvement .scheme. PREMIER’S DEEARTUR E. WELLINGTON. Sept, I. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Mr Coates, leaves Wellington on Saturday for Dargaville. He will return to Wellington on Tuesday or Wednesday. Mr Coates is leaving some of his children at Dargnville while he is at the Imperial Conference, and he is going up to see them settled there before be sails. The people of Darga Ville propose to entertain him while he is among them. Mrs Coates goes north 10-mor-row. AUCKLAND POWER. BOARD CABLE AUCKLAND. Sept. 1.

The statement has been made that although an English tender to supply cable was accepted by the Auckland Electric Power Board, in preference to a German one, which was £4OOO cheaper. the English firm has requested the Board to permit it to supply German cable, in order to fulfil the contract. This statement was referred to the Board’s General Manager. Mr R. TT. Barkley. Ho said the English firm has asked that, owing to a breakdown in its vulcanising plant, it should ho permitted to .sub-let the .contract to a firm named “Gaepcl.” There seemed little doubt tin's firm was of foreign origin ; but there was no doubt that today it was an all-British concern, with its works in Britain. Tts product could therefore not be called German cable. Nevertheless, the Board had refused to permit the -English firm to sub-let the contract to “Gnepcls,” and its London agents have been notified accordingly.