AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

FLY TO THE M.OON

(United Service.) [Received tbis day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. A young Birmingham mechanic named Edward Stylos has offered to tost the German rocket-ear (cabled on 23rd May), in an attempt to reach the moon. He says he is not anxious to commit suicide, but thinks tlie journey is possible, and if he succeeds, he will go down in history as the greatest discoverer the world has known, and other pioneers would quickly follow him. Styles is confident the intervenin' space can lie conquered as easily as the air.

SEARCH FOR NOBILE. OSLO, May 27. Probably a naval seaplane piloted by the famous Lieutenant Loutgow Holm, will start in the search for tlie Italia. A larger aeroplane will follow later.

AN AIR ACCIDENT. PARIS, May 27

A shocking accident occurred at an aviation fete at Orlov, an aeroplane crashing into a crowd of spectators, killing two and injuring several. Curiously the aeroplane had no connection with tho fete. It was a naval plane carrying out a- practice flight and noticing the aerodrome the pilot decided to land. AVlien he shut ofE his engino lie suddenly found he was too low, and was unable to rise in time. The machine swept into tho crowd. All tho injured were taken to the hospital, hut tho pilot received only a few bruises.

UNCONFIRMED M ESSAGES. (Received this dnv at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON. May 27. Suspense concerning the fate of the Italia, with a crew of eighteen, and a dog, aboard continues. The last fully authenticated wireless from tlie airship was timed seven o’clock on Friday evening, hut early this morning two roundabout messages reached London and are transmitted reservedly. One from Berlin says the Oslo Meteorological Institute intercepted a mutilated message from Nobile saying lie had landed and was calling for help. Tlie message does not give the position. It is rather strange this was not received from Oslo, whence plenty of messages arrived earlier. The second message from Badsoe reported the Italia sent a wireless for the supply ship at 10.5 on Saturday night. -This is also unconfirmed by Oslo. Obviously if one of the Italia’s motors ceased, Nobile would be unable to make King’s Bay through the storm. It is feared it must now be, being blown helplessly towards Siberia.

It is recalled when the Italia returned from her previous voyage in the direction of Franz Josef Land, it had an ice coating weighing nearly a ton, therefore a possibility of being forced down cannot be ignored. An ice covered aerial would account for the cessation of the messages. The Government has ordered the steamer Hobby, at present at Tromso, to proceed to Franz Josefland. It is pointed out if Nobile manages to make a safe landing on firm ice or in Siberia, it may be several months before news is received.

The party’s only course would l>c to abandon the airship and journey afoot until it established contact with civilisation.

Tho Italians are ill prepared to prolongcdlv endure the rigors of Arctic life. Vadsoe wireless stations have been trying all day vainly to got in touch with the Ttalia.