AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

(United Service.) PROFITS OF FLIGHT. (Received tbis day at 10.15 a.m.l NEW YORK, Juno 7. A message from Los Angeles states only four' members of tlic crow ol the Southern Cross will share in the profit resulting from the flight. This was said on behalf of Allan Hancock, their -’backer, to-day by Raymond Stephens, Hancock’s attorney explaining that his client desires no personal gain , from the flight. He said a Los Angeles capitalist gave assistance only to further the development of aerial navigation, and in admiration of the perseverance of Smith and Ulm. Hancock sailed for Mexico the day the Southern Cross took off from Oakland. He was not aware then that his connection with the flight was to (become public, but he gave permission to-day that his association be explained. The statement l>y Stephens revealed that deprived of hacking, which they expected when left Australia, Smith and Ulm found themselves stranded with the plane mortgaged to stay within the boundaries of California, and also insnfticien equipment and numerous debts. Smith and Ulm, met Hancock through Andrew Chalfey, a Los Angeles bank president. Hancock immediately became interested in the fliers and took a short flight' with them. He then advanced the necessary funds for the project. FURTHER. PAR.TTCULARS. (Received this day at 11.25 a.rn.) SUVA, June 8; The Southern Cress made an excellent landing at Hasdai yesterday on hard grey sand, half a mile from the petrol depot, and taxied along the beach without trouble. THe delay was caused chiefly through the insufficient time allowed to filter all ]K;trol thrpugh the new chamois, and also the great difficulty of landing the petrol from the Pioneer, which was compelled to stand off in choppy water. The airmen finally decided at five o’clock that it was impossible to take off and fixed two o’clock this afternoon for their departure. The plane was then manhandled up the bench by the crew of the Pioneer, and the Adi Beti and the native police were sent over from Suva to guard the machine, which was taken to the higliwatcr mark. It was a glorious night, there being no need to even tie the plane down. Lyons and Warner arrived at Naselni at 3.15 after a very rough passage in the Adi Beti outside the' reef. The story is confirmed that Lyons lost his spec tables when boarding the Pioneer, and it is deemed impossible to find them by divers. He is handicapped but not incapacitated. 1 At six Smith, Ulm and Lyons boarded the Pioneer on their return to Suva, leaving Warner and inspector Tucker, a European police officer, in charge of the machine. They slept at Nasclai village. Evidently the captain of tho Pioneer considered it impossible to leave tho anchorage safely, and they remained all night. The delay is considered a good tiling hv the fliers, as they were worn out bv too much festivities, which might have been renewed had they returned to Suva.

READY FOR START*. SUVA, June S. The fliers are in the best of spirits, after a good nightls rest on the Pioneer. The conditions hero are very favourable. All are going ashore about noon to get the plant in position to start. THE "ITALIA” 45oMM UNI CATION RE-ESTABLISH-ED. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.t LONDON. June S. The Citta Di Milano announces it has re-established wireless communication with the Italia. GIFT OF ’PLANE. WELLINGTON, June 8. Sir Hilaries Wakefield is offering the New Zealand Government a light aeroplane to aid in the development of civil aviation within the Dominion. Sir Charles made ft similar gilt a short time ago to the Commonwealth Government, on the occasiorf of Bert Hinklfy’s arrival there at the termination of his flight.