KINGSFORD SMITH

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1931, Page 5

KINGSFORD SMITH

FORCED DOWN BY STORM,

HE PASSES RANGOON.

(United Press Association.—By Electrr • Telegraph.—Copyright.)

VICTORIA POINT, September 26

Kings.ord Smith reports that he was brought down by darkness and storm at a p.ace eighty miles south of Victoria Point, Biirmah. Smith spent a bad night there, and then resumed his flight. He reached here at 7.15 o’cloca tins morning. He was very tired.

Smith has now broken his schedule, but he will try to catch it up.

Smith left Victoria Point at 11.30 a.m. for Rangoon. SIDNEY, September 27.

The news of Smithy's safe arrival at Victoria Point, after some hours’ absence, relieved the popular anxiety, but his friends declare that they had never doubted that he would surmount any possible temporary setback.

RANGOON PASSED. RANGOON, September 27. Kingsford Smith arrived here, and he left lor Jliansi at 4.15 o’clock this morning. SMITH’S PLANS. FOR STILL. LONGER HOPS. RANGOON, September 26. Kingsford Smith arrived here at 5.55 this (Saturday) evening. Ho will leave early on Sunday morning lor Jhansi, Smith states that he met heavy storm at 7.15 on Friday evening, wit.i blinding rain, which forced him down on a beach south of Victoria Point, where he spent a had night. He got off there this morning, after heavy work in the sand. Just after taking off he discovered that a screw was in bad condition, and be had to return to Victoria Point for repairs. Smith believes that he can pick up his lost time by lengthening each stage from now on. Thus his future stages will be: Rangoon, Jliansi, Jasu, Alepano, Rome, and London. Smith is disappointed at having been forced down, but he is glad it was no worse. He did not enjoy the nigfit he spent among unknown perils on the beach. , LONDON-ASIATIC SERVICE. LONDON, September 26. Beginning on September 30th, a weekly ail mail service between Lon--1 oii and the Dutch East Indies will commence, instead of a fortnightly ser- j vice. It is estimated it will tak e eleven j days to reach Singapore.

CALCUTTA PASSED

BMith has fainting fits.

FORCED TO LAND. (Received this day ut 9.25 a.m) CALCUTTA, September 27. Kingsford Smith arrived at Calcutta aerodrome at 11.3, being forced to land owing to fainting attacks while crossing tlie Baj r of Bengal. During one attack the plane dropped from three thousand to one thousand feet, before the airman recovered control. He obtained refreshments and brandy, and departed at noon for Allahabad where he plans to halt to-night, proceeding to Ja.sk to-morrow.

PASSED ALLAHABAD. ON WAY TO JHANSI. A FAINTING FIT. NARROW ESCAPE OF AIRMAN (Received this day at 9.25 a.m) CALCUTTA, September 27. Kingsford Smith arrived at Cnlcuetta at 11.25 and left for Allahabad at 12.15.

Later Smith flew over Bamrauli aerodrome, Allahabad, and dropped a message attached to a banana, that he was proceeding to Jhansi. YVith a helping wind he expected to reach Jhansi at dusk.

Kingsford Smith had an amazing escape from death when flying from Rangoon to Calcutta. Starting off before dawn, he was making good progress over the Bay of Bengal when he suddenly fainted at a height of three thousand feet regaining consciousness when the machine was a few hundred feet above the water, n<r.d steadily falling. Smith revived by putting his head over the side of the plane and obtaining an onrush of air. He regained control in the nick of time. When he arrived at Calcutta he first asked for a glass of brandy and said he believed he had a slight sunstroKe, but he refused to stay for treatment. He left an hour later for Jhansi, where he is staying the night.

Smith is still suffering from a severe headache and is now wearing an airman’s topee given him by a member of the aerodrome staff. Smith said the experience was uncanny and unnerving. He had never had it before, and be hoped he never had it again. He had learned a lesson an-d was wearing a topee during the flight.

Smith is still half a day ahead of Mollison’s time.

He has the appearance of being very

* LANDS AT JHANSJ. NOW ALL RIGHT AGAIN. (Received this dav at 10.15 a.in.) BOMBAY, September 28. Kings lord Smith landed at Jhansi shortly after six in the evening of the 27tli. He is now feeling all right and is ahead of Mollison’s time.