AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

FEVERS RROGKESS. (onited Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, April 12. Although a few hours after the departure of the “Bremen.” somewhat alarming weather reports were received from America, the value oi the Germans information was confirmed by wireless by the .Majestic live hundred miles from England, describing a perfect day of dear sunshine and wind negligible. The afternoon report from the 15aIiloncc slated the “Bremen was seen SHI) miles due west of Ireland on adead course for America. The perfect airworthiness of the machine wits seen in the fact that despite five tons of dead weight and a slight head wind, it averaged miles hourly for the first ninety minutes. Although it occupied a long runaway of 1800 yards and humped slightly following the first take off it rose rapidly and settled down to a steady speed.

GERMAN COMMENT ON Id.IKES. LONDON, April 12. Aviation experts express a rather gloomy view concerning the “RruuiI'li’s” success. 'Flu* majority of the German press maintain their former .attitude, describing the venture as foolhardy and even if it succeeds it is merely a spirting feat oi during. There should lie no further transAtlantic aviation. The "Tagcs Tcitung” alone extends unreserved praise and says an aviator’s daring is horn of an idealistic spirit in contradistinction to the materialistic conception ol the age. Mistress Kochi says Ihe courage and enterprise ol fliers is well known. The flight must he a success. Ihe unly thing now is to wait and pray. I know my husband will succeed. Kochi is a Bavarian aged forty. When informed that he had been dismissed by Lufthansa because lie was undertaking the tiight he said: “What docs that Incan. I will consider the position if I reach the other side. I believe I may manage without employers. If the outcome is the loss of my job it won't. Vic the chief ol my worries.” Hueiifeld is a member ol an old Prussian family: and was formerly intimate with the cx-C rown Prince.

NO NEWS OF “BREMEN.” NEW YORK. April 12. In regard to the* flight- of the Btomon,” the* monoplane has not boon reported. The* weather conditions arc variable*, from fair to very poor. There- is a storm following the coast line. It, is expected to roach Newfoundland at the time that the plane should arrive in that vicinity, if sucecsslul. The ships in mid-ocean report Unit there arc strong head winds in the Bremen’s path. ST. JOHN'S (Nowfttndhuid). April 12. At. midnight (Atlantic time) there is no word of the Germans trans-Atlan-tic tliers, either from the lighthouses or the wirok'-s stations along the Newfoundland coast. The weather is clear, and the visnbilitv is good, the flying conditions being excellent. NEW YORK. April IT. The fate of the trans-Atlantic plane “Bremen” had not been reported from any source as having Loon seen. NO NEWS OF WILKINS. VANCOUVER. April IT. There is an absence ol word from Cape Barrow of Captain Wilkins. Ihe Government radio experts tear that an accident has befallen the exploration expedition of Captain Wilkins. ASIATIC AVIATION. LONDON. /April IT. The “Morning Post’s" aviation correspondent -ays: Ihe definite establishment of a Kiibul-Tn'skcut Air Service by the Russo-German interests destroys the British hopes of being the first to connect Britain and India by the iair. Already there are RttssoGorman lines run from Moscow to Bttsliire. via. Teheran, while the proposed British Cn iro-Ka radii line has failed to materialise, owing to difficulties in Persia. Meanwhile, the Imperial Airways is continuing with n blind alley line from Cairo to Basra, which is almost a useless portion of the CairoKnradii route. With the establishment of fully-equipped aerodromes, controlled liv Russo-German interests, carrying lines as far as Bush ire and Kabul, it will not he long helore they accomplish the final stage to India.

THE MOTH FLIES NORTH. BLENHEIM. April 12. The Moth ’plane, piloted h.v Mr ' Douglas Mill, accompanied hv Mr E. C. Studholme. of Waimate. Mrs Mill s uncle, arrived at Blenheim at 12.55 from Christchurch, and hopped off a nil in for Trent ham at 2 p.ni. Mr Stndliolnie <lesc.riln.Hl tlio trip in enthusiastic* terms. <leelarmi£ that it was the most enjoyable experience he had had of aerial travel, and lie had had several aeroplane rides. I lie country. as it slid beneath the ‘plane. looked exceedingly beautiful, and it. could he seen that it was in splendid condition. The trip demonstrated that one of the host ways of studying the country was from the air. and one was in a 'remarkable way aide to compare the appearance, condition, and qualitv of the land over which the machine Hew. Stonyhui'st Estate looked very fine, indeed, and one was able to appreciate the excellence of many other splendid properties. A head wind was encountered throughout most of the journey, and this increased tire time occupied on the trip, hut the weather was clear and bright, and the sea glassily smooth and a glorious blue. Over Kaikoura, Mr Studholme remarked, a great many hawks were seen, and it was interesting to mention that one bird passed near to the aeroplane, which was then dying at 2000 feet. ' Mr Studholme proposes visiting his property near the Clarence bridge before'" returning .to Christchurch. RUMOURS ONLY. (Received this day at. B.SO a.m.l HALIFAX. April 13. A message from Kingsport states a plane believed to ho the Bremen, was sighted here at 10.30 Atlantic time today by the captain of a Canadian Government ship. The machine was flying high. Another unconfirmed report stated the Bremen passed Newfoundland at 8.30. LONDON. April 13. The Air Ministry at noon was still without news of the Atlantic fliers.

ARRIVAL AT ALEPPO. (Received this dav at 8.30 a.tn.l ALEPPO. April 13 Costes and T.ebrix have arrived.