AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

AIRMEN CAPTIVES. AIOORS ASK RANSOM. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, August 22. The Paris correspondent of the “Times” reports there is grave anxiety regarding the French airmen, Heine and Serre, whom the Aloors have been holding for ransom since they were forced to land at Rio de L’Oro, in North Africa, early in July, while en route to South America.

The situation is complicated by the fact of a powerful tribe threatening to wipe out the tribe which has captured the airmen unless they secure the release of Moorish prisoners who are now in French hands, besides a high ransom.

A French official visited Rio De L’Oro, but lie did not secure the airmen’s release, owing to the French Government, so it is reported, having refused an exchange of prisoners. A relief expedition is impossible, owing to Rio De L’Oro being situated in the Spanish zone of Africa. The airmen have sent letters to their families detailing their pitiable condition. They state that they are unable to wash and are covered with vermin. Serres’ wife has written an indignation letter to the newspapers, protesting against the Government’s attitude in leaving the airmen to their fate, while it awaits for the Atoors’ cupidity to abate and she demands the release of the prisoners by the payment of a ransom. ITALIAN OBJECTION. TO TREATY WITH EGYPT. HOME, Aug. 22. The Press here refers to the United States Treaty with Egypt, which was concluded without consulting Britain, as “a gross discourtesy” and “a scandalous impertinenence only construahle as a deliberate attempt to humiliate Britain. They declare it is yet another incident in the great Anglo-American, duel, and that it proves that the renunciation of war as an instrument of National policy does not, in American eyes, imply the complete renunciation of any consequent imperial policy. ATLANTIC FLYING. LONDON, Aug. 22.

The trans-Atlantic flier, Levine, flew to Berlin with tlie intention of purchasing a Junkers, monoplane, with which, lie says, he will attempt a nonstop trans-Atlantic flight. Aliss Arable 801 l has announced that sho hopes to accompany Levine on his flight. FOUR DAYS’ FLIGHT. DELHI, Aug. 22, A Karachi report states that the airman, Barnard, and the Duchess of Bedford (whose start was cabled on June 14th) have arrived there, after a non-stop flight of 1,200 miles from Bushire. They expect to leave at, dawn on Friday in an attempt to make a record four days’ flight to London. .MISS DORAN’S FATE. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 22. What appears to lie a genuine message. from the late Aliss Doran, who was lost in the Dole flying race to Honolulu, has floated ashore in. a bottle at Aberdeen, AVasliington. The message says: “Gas all gone. 4\ater running low. Been floating four days. (Signed) Mildred.” The paper is faded, and the message is scarcely decipherable. A R.EAI A R KABLE STUNT. AIRMAN AS SLEUTH. LONDON. Aug. 23. Seeing that a soldier who is suspected of a serious charge was outdistancing pursuing detectives in a crosscountry chase, near the' Clacton Aerodrome, Captain Edwin Jones, who was piloting a passenger aeroplane, joined in the pursuit. He nosedived , mid forced the man to lie flat. As, however, his passengers were becoming nervous, Jones returned to the aerodrome and dropped them and then lie returned to the chase. He again dived at the running man, and kept him Jying on the ground until the exhausted detectives arrived. “If he hadn’t ducked, I would have knocked his head off,” said the pilot.

BYRD EXPEDITION. SAILS TO-MORROW., NEW, YORK, Aug. 22. Thirty-one members of the Byrd Antarctic expedition, sail aboard the steamer City of New York, on Saturday. August 25, for Dunedin, New Zealand. The last member of the crew to lie named is Paul Siple, a nineteen year old Boy Scout, who will act as Orderly to Commander Bvrd. lie having* been chosen from one thousand applicants. The City of Now York has loaded three hundred tons of coal and she is packed with equipment for the expedition. The aircraft, which will lie sent later, will consist of four planes with Bernt Bale-hen and Dean Smith (former Air Mail pilot) as the pilots. The small steamer “Celsea,” which is now being reconditioned here, will carry the aeronautical equipment. HOPE FOR AVIATORS. MONTREAL, August 23. There is a new hope for the missing aviators, Hassail and Cromer, who may have actually gained Greenland coast, and possibly landed in some outlying Eskimo settlement. According to a despatch from the Danish sheriff of South Greenland, a plane was distinctly seen early on Sunday, near Teskenness.