AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

Australian Picas Assn.—United .Service

WILKINS AND EILSON. (Deceived this day at 8 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, .May 31. Wilkins and Eilson were tlic guests at- a public festival at the Town Hall, and later were banqueted by the Aeronautical and Royal Geographic Societies. They were congi atulated by the President, the Crown Prince and each was presented with the Aeronautical Society’s gold medal.

“ITALIANS” FATE.

STUB MS DELAY SEARCH

LONDON, May 29.

Advices from King’s Bay state that the supply steamer, Cittn di Milano’s expedition in search of the “Italia” is at a standstill, as the ship is not built strongly enough to withstand the ice pressure.

Moreover, it is now considered that the only men who now can help the

“Italia” arc the few fur trappers who are accustomed to the conditions on the coast, and the trappers are now being organised, in order that a .search may begin forthwith. The ships “Hobby and “Braganza” will he manned by special crews, and will carry a detachment of Norwegian soldiers, who are used to the Polar regions.

If the “Italia” came down in the south of Spitsbergen, there is hut little hope of the party’s survival, as the ice there is constantly shifting, and a landing from an aeroplane boat is almost impossible. Thus far nothing has been achieved by the aeroplanes, owing to the storms which have been almost continuous since the “Italia” started out. \ message from the Citta dj Milano denies receiving any message whatever from the scalhunters on, or around Amsterdam Island.