Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1931, Page 4

Tun thrilling race by Ivii.gsford Smith in his attempt to lower the record of Mr J. A. Mollison. made in August, of 8 days, 22 hours, 25 minutes, from Australia to London has been engaging the attention and interest of the whole world, and in Australia and New Zealand that interest has been intensified, the hope being expressed on all sides that the popular airman would be successful in his self imposed task. The airman made a good start in his opening day, but .the forced landing the next day in Malay put him' back a little. This, however, was picked up by the making of longer jumps, and with his arrival at Jask in Persia on the fifth day of his flight, Smithy had passed the resting place of Mollison on the evening of lii,s fifth day out, which was at Karachi. Smithy .made his next stopping place at Aleppo, and on arrival there was a clear day ahead of Mollison, who had made a night stoppage as Basra, and thence had gone on to Aleppo. At this point Kingsford Smith was a clear day ahead of Mollison who had completed his run in two days with a fly to Rome in one day. and to Enel and in the next. Leaving Aleppo on Wednesday morning Kingsford Smith struck trouble and was forced down in Asia Minor, near Smyrna, as the result of illness overtaking him, and though he was able next day to reach Athens, all lmoe of breaking the record had then disappeared. The news last night hv wireless stated .'that Kingsford Smith had been unable to leave owing to nervous prostration. The v e was great disappointment felt that the intrepid airman did not- succeed in his self imposed task, but though he made a plucky fight, the difficulties and trials of such a task were too much, and even the iron cen'tihition of the popular Smithy was tumble to stand the nerve racking strain, of prnVmmd continuous fliedits, with practically little sleep that the effort entailed.