AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

(United Servioe.) NOBILE’S SERIOUS PLIGHT. LONDON, June 12. Nobile wirelessed that be is unaware of tho whereabouts of the crew carried off in the Italia’s mishap at present. Ho and bis party arc stranded on pack ice in view of the coast. They are minus arms, cooking utensils and snowshocs. Two companions aro suffering acutely from -broken legs.

NOBILE’S PLIGHT. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 12. Italian flying boats speeding northwards to aid the Italia were forced down owing to lack "of fuel in Holland. They later reached Amsterdam and took off to-night for Copenhagen, hut are .'not expected to reach Spitzbergen until Friday. There is a growling feeling of pessimism. Amunilsen says every day is vital. Norwegian experts express the opinion that action was left dangerous late and say large aeroplanes and ice breakers should have been dispatched at a much earlier date. The situation is further endangered by a sudden turn of bad weather north of Spitzbergen. Meantime- Nobile wirelessed that he had abandoned the intention of trekking to the Hobby and had returned to the wireless post, allowing his .three companions to proceed alone. He says the wireless will soon cease, as the accumulators are running down. He adds:—AVe are physically exhausted by the effort to reach the point of rescue. The main party consists of - seven, sheltering in a tent rescued from the gondola, which is useless as a storm is raging and threatens to destroy it, which is painted red to facilitate observation from the air. There is definitely no news of the whereabouts or fate of the other two parties. It is twelve days since I left with the intention of walking to Cn.pe North to seek aid. Similarly nothing lias been heard of the seven carried off in the detached derelict envelope.

Nobile wirelessed that be himself is ignorant of their fate. All messages concern the main party alone, who are having the greatest hardship in the past four days, owing to tlio absence Of means of preparing warm meals. LONDON, June 12. A Riga correspondent states the Italian Government has requested the Soviet to continue relief efforts for which the world’s most powerful ice breaker Krassin will be ordered to King’s Bay, starting on 13th June. The ice, breaker Malygin is leaving Archangel to-night equipped with several months provisions, clothing, arms, short wave apparatus and a seaplane in charge of Pilot Chuklxnovsky, receiving wireless instructions en route The steamer Persli left Murmansk for Hopies Land with a powerful short wave apparatus.

SOUTHERN CROSS TO BE OVERHAULED. • (Received this day nt 10.15 a.m.l SYDNEY, June 13. Kfinlgsfo'rd . Smith inrinounces that the Southern Cross will be overhauled after the Melbourne visit anti the New Zealand trip will be- undertaken within a few weeks. Ho heartily appreciates New Zealand’s cabled good wishes. WELLINGTON INVITATION. WELLINGTON, June 13. - The Mayor of Wellington has sent the following cable to Captain Kingsford Smith, Melbourne: "Strong representations have been made to mo urge you to make Wellington your place in New Zealand. Should you fly hero we assure you of a very hearty welcome.”

AEROPLANE CRASHES. LONDON, June 13. A D.H. 9A aeroplane bomber of the Eighty-Fourth Bombing Squadron crashed at Shahbah, in Iraq, killing Sergt. Bamford and Air Mechanic Arthur Frost. AVIATOR ARRIVES. AVASHINGTON, June 12. Capt. Emilio Carranza, a Mexican goodwill aviator, arrived from Alexico City on Tuesday after a fog had forced him to land at Aloorsrille, North Carolina. HARBOUR. GRACE, June 12. Tlie Columbia arrived at 5.30.