AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

THIRTEEN EXPEDITIONS TO NOBILE’S RESCUE. Australian Press Assn.—United Service ROME, June 18. The puiblic here are buoyed up by the fact that there now are ten machines within cruising distance of General Nobile, while in addition, a sledge expedition, an alpine chasseurs expedition, as well as an ice breaker, are all concentrating on Foyn Island. There are now thirteen expeditions representing six nations, participating in the rescue. WHERE T,S AMUNDSEN?LONDON, June 20. It is persistently reported from King’s Bay that Amundsen lias descended in open water close to General Nobile’s party, whom lie met. GUII.BAUD’S PLANE. LONDON, June 20. Authentic news from Amundsen is anxiously awaited. He left Tromso at four o’clock on Monday afternoon, and he was duo at King’s Bay at one o’clock on Tuesday morning. The whole population of King’s Bay waited for him, but in vain. It is now believed that Amundsen must have attempted to reach General Nobile direct. The distance from Tromso to Foyn Island, where the “Italia’s” crew .are marooned is about 700 miles. It is the giant seaplane piloted by Captain Guilbaud in which Amundsen is traveling. It has also, as spare pilot, Detrichson. It carries iuel for a (light of two thousand miles. It is therefore regarded as likely that the plane has reached Nobile, and lias alighted between the ice floes to render assistance. SEARCH FOR NOBILE. (Received this day at u a.m.) ROME, June 20. Official.—After the abortive flights of Larsen and Holm, Maddelena (Commander of the Citta Di Milano) determined to study special means to locate Nobile, tie reports the airmen showed extreme difficulty in picking out men among mounds of ice and broken channels whereon the sun shines, giving the illusion of great visibilty falsified by shadow. Chemicals are being prepared to emit thick smoke. The aeroplanes will drop chemicals where Nobile is thought to he in order to he of use to guide the rescuers. OCEAN FLIERS. -DATE OF THePn.Z. FLIGHT. WELLINGTON, June 20. Mr Rollcston stated that a message has been received from the Australian Air Board that Captain Kingsford Smith lias publicly announced his intention of flying to New Zealand after the Southern Cross engines have been overhauled liy an engineer, ivlio is now on route from America, and probably it will be made after a flight to the West Coast of Australia and back. SMITH’S INTENTION. (SYDNEY, June 10. Speaking at a luncheon given by the Institute of Journalists, Captain Kingsford Smith said lie would not only fly to New Zealand, hut would fly hack again to Australia. STULTZ’S ORDEAL. LONDON, June 19.

Pilot Stuitz told the “Daily Express” that before the “Friendship” was halfway across tho Atlantic, rain penetrated one of the engines. He would not say more, but it was obvious from his tone that that engine did not pull its weight. Miss Earliart, however, did not know of it. WANTS A DIVORCE. SYDNEY, June 19. The aviator, Captain Kingsford 'Smith, has filed a, petition for divorce against his wife. Tho grounds of the petition are those of desertion.