AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

ABOARD THE ITALIA. LIFE OF THE PARTY. (united Press Association. —Ry Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received this day at 11 0 a.m * LONDON, May 23. A message from King’s Ray on 23rd May states the special correspondent aboard the Italia sent a wireless message prior to proceeding towards the Pole. “We spent most time aboard the City Di Milano where there was every comfort. We were occasionally homesick and had to consult tho clock calendar in order to distinguish day from night. If we felt sleepy, we had to consider whether it was bedtime or rising time, ft was a topsy turvy world, sleep time and work time being intermingled. Me might go for a brisk walk at 2 a.m. and were often abed at 3 n.m. in order to begin work at midnight. Breakfast was usually at Ip.m., when the sun was already high. AA lieu the Italia was resting in the hangar six hundred gas containers weighing dozens of tons must bo taken across tbo fields to restore her buoyancy when in flight. Six hundred must be prepared" against her return, depriving Commander Romagna and crew of all leisure. Thousands of gulls surround the City Di Milano, seeking galley scraps. White gulls are said to be the souls of dead sailors and black gulls the souls of stokers. Seals and sea lions are favourite game. They arc easily shot on the ice. Ihe pilot skinned the smallest seal and supervised its cooking bill lie alone partook of what was a terrible meal.