AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

Australian Press Assn.—United Service BYRD EXPEDITION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 22. Mr H. Tapley, M.P., of Dunedin, who arrived to-day by the Makura, when in New York, met Commander Byrd. He lias persuaded him to utilise Dunedin as the main base for hopping off for the South Polar expedition. Otago Harbour Board had offered all the facilities of the port, including wharfage, storage and docking, free of charge. Sir Tapley has offered his own firm to act as the New Zealand agents free of charges.

FLIGHT TO N.Z. NEXT WEEK. ADELAIDE, Aug. 27. The Southern Cross has arrived. ADELAIDE, Aug. 27. Captain Kingsford Smith and his companies were officially welcomed by the Government. Captain Kingsford Smith stated that it was the best night flight lie had ever made. He added that he hoped to. commence the flight to Xew Zealand next week. LOST PLANE. VANCOUVER. Aug. 26. Scott lias been definitely identified as a former member of the House of Commons ior the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow in 1922. He was visiting Canada for pleasure. There was no trace of the machine late on Sunday. It is believed; that the pilot mistook a heavy fog for a cloudbank and dived under, struck the water and foundered.

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT. LONDON, Aug. 25. To-day -is the ninth anniversary of the opening of British civil aviation on the Continent. It is recalled that twenty passengers were carried per week in August 1919, as compared with two thousand per week at present. On busy days fifty air liners travel between Croydon and Paris. Fifty tons of freight arc carried every week as compared with a few small packages in 1919. KINGSFORD SMITH. DECLINES AIR. RACE CHALLENGE ADELAIDE, Aug. 28. Kingsford Smith and Ulm have declined the air race across the Tasman. Smith said: “I do not believe in stuntaviation. I would not attempt a flight to New Zealand without a navigator and radio expert.”

R.e'gardin'g /the proposed Dorni.erWalil aerial service across the Tasman Smith said, “I like these boats, but regard the proposal as a little premature. I shall tell you more about it on the completion of our trip to Now Zealand.”