SMITH’S DELAY

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1931, Page 5

SMITH’S DELAY

ATTACK OF ILLNESS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, October 1. • An Athens message states that indisposition obliged Kings ford Smith to land at Milas. His machine was not damaged. i hough feeling unwell, Smith is determined to carry on. He telegraphed that his friends might expect him at the Totoi Aerodrome here, late in the afternoon, but he has not arrived.

FRENCH INTEREST

PARIS, October 1

Crowds waited throughout to-day at the Lc Bom-get aerodrome in the hope of welcoming Rings ford Smith, and they were rcTeved later on learning ol his safe landing. They hope lie will reach Paris on Friday evening. SMITH AT ANTHKNS. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m) ANT HENS, October 2. Ivingsford Smith arrived at seven p.m. FAILURE TO BREAK RECORD. SYMPATHY FOR AIRMAN. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) ATHENS, October % The absence of further news oi Kingsford Smith is puzzling, but it is pointed out that Smyrna is a forbidden' area, for aircraft and warships. Milas may he considered sufficiently' close to give the Turkish authorities an excuse for using sufficient red tape to delay him perhaps two days. ft is now impossible to break Mollison’s record. Smith’s flight commanded great public interest. Newspapers in England sympathise with the had luck of a man, who is described as not merely a supreme pilot but a national figure whose greatness and personal charm is acknowledged world-wide. His delayed arrival disorganised reception arrangements at Croydon. SUNSTROKE CAUSES LANDING. LONDON, October 2. A Smyrna message says that Smithy declared that sunstroke obliged him to descend at Milas. RELIEF AT SAFETY. SYDNEY, October 3. There was considerable relief iu Australia when news was received that Kingsford Smith was safe, but there was the greatest disappointment that the record was unattained when well within grasp. MOLLISON’g INTENTION, (Received this day at 9.25 a.m) LONDON, October 2. MulUson Mild—* ; lf Smithy had bmtteu me, I would have * had another smack at the Australian flight. I will now attempt a London-Capetown record at the end of the month.

Smtihy, lucky or unlucky, is definitely the world’s finest pilot, not excluding Lindberg.”