AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1931, Page 5

AVIATION

SOUTHERN CROSS.

i United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

SYDNEY, April 23. The Southern Cross arrived at Darwin at 2-40 o’clock this afternoon.

KINGSPORT) SMITH

DA RAVIN. April 24

The Southern Cross loft at 7.20 this morning for Koepang. A large crowd saw Kingsford Smith take off, easily rising after a run half way across the small aerodrome. He was last seen over Point -Charles. He expects to leave Koepang to-morrow and is due at Darwin about two in the afternoon.

ARCTIC AIR ROUTE. LONDON, April 23. The leader of the British Arctic air route expedition telegraphs that the weather is preventing the party despatched last month, to relieve the central station at the ice cap locating it. Consequently anxiety is felt for the safety of Augustin and Courtauld, who volunteered to man the station alone in winter time. A stronger relief party, under Watkins, hopes to reach the ice cap before -the end of April. AIR ACCIDENT. (Received 11.40 n.m.) LONDON, April 23. Holt left North Holt to inspect Tangere air station, wherefrom planes went up to give an aerial salute. One of tlie saluting planes was involved in a collision and returned to the aerodrome with a damaged wing. A woman at S°ut!i Downs watched nine machines flying over in perfect formation, followed by two othersOne of the rear planes seemed to touch the other which swooped down, looped the loop and crashed. One of tbe occupants. believed to fie Holt, attempted to escape by a parachute but was too near tlie ground and the parachute failed to open. He fell like a stone.