AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1928, Page 3

AVIATION

A GREAT FEAT. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received this day at Jl.O a m.) COPKNIIAGKN. April 22

U lieu Wilkins was compelled to land at Datiholen be bad little food. Kortuimtely wliale fishers sighted tbe machine, and fliers on the island went to their aid in a boat. They were astounded to learn they bad flown from Alaska, and they replenished their lood. \\ ben they reached Green Island the temperature was several degrees below zero. They said they were tremendously hungry. Wilkins hopes to lomplete the light to the Knropean mainland presently, provided tbe machine will permit it. It is understood to be in good ronditiou according to a radio message from Green Harbour. Livery where the feat is regarded as of tbe greatest importance as ii will enable geographers to till in tbe maps ot tbe Arctic Circle, the great white space between tbe north of Canada and north of Siberia. NKW YORK, April 21.

11l connection with Wilkins proposed Anlaretio expedition, it is stilted tlnit observations would lie taken over one sun spot cycle oi eleven years, lie said the economic value of such forecasts would be immense. It would oliiniiiiite suffering from lamine. and droughts and, prevent food speculation on a large scale. It is known that one of Wilkins aspirations is tbe circumnavigation of tbe I’acilie, on tlie basis of a series of two tliousand mile bops over tbe distance, sixteen thousand miles, witli stops at I,os Angeles. Seiittle, Alaska, jokio, Australia. New Zealand ,Hoss Sea, flralmm’s Land and Cape Honi. XKW VOIt K, April 21. “ Tbe dream of tlie ages, a north-west passage across tbe world, lias been brought nearer practical acbicvcmcnt through the pioneering o| Wilkins.” said Vilhjalnuir Stefansson. picturing the Pole crossroads where future continent to continent caravans would meet, shortening distances by bundreds of miles.

A. Al. Smith, of tbe 1b27 expedition, said: “ Wilkins flight will mean much to meteorology. Wilkins is not interested in stunt living. lie lias set out to make a definite contribution to science.” THIi POLAR FLIGHT. (Received this day at 12.25 p.tn.) OSLO, April 22. Amundsen believes polar flying conditions are more favourable now than in .May when log is prevalent. Apparently Wilkins was not troubled by ice freezing on tbe wings, as held the Norge on tbe Spitzbergen-Alaska flight in .May 1020. It was impossible to say whether the (tiers crossed the Pole. They certainly crossed the polar basin, apparently Inflowing the same line as the Norge. It was a splendid sporting enterprise. He hoped \\ ilkius, whose persistence deserved success, classed tbe Pole. It was only right tin's pair of heroes should have succeeded in their remarkable achievement, which unlike t rans-Atbiiitic flights was unaided.