“WIZARD” SMITH

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1932, Page 6

“WIZARD” SMITH

AWAITING AN OPPORTUNITY. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) NINETY MILE BEACH, Fell. 22. With the beach in its present condition, it is not likely that “Wizard Smith will attempt to break the record before Wednesday. The recent rains and easterly wind have made 'the beach soft and according to Smith the Enterprise would “sink out of sight” if be took her out. She is ready, however, the new radiator is a success and the cockpit is sealed up so that no sand or water can get through. The wind has veered to south-west and the tides arc getting bigger. If the wind stays in its present quarter it should assist materially in ironing the few washouts and corrugations which have reappeared during the last, day or two, Ihe King tide is clue on Thursday but low water is late in the afternoon. However there will he sufficient daylight. Smith will make the run, should the bench be right. Meanwhile other officials are not idle. The Post and Telegraph officials have found it a long job. Some arrived on Friday, and are mending the cable used by the timing npparateus. Tt had been cut. evidently with a spade or sharp instrument, but the postal engineer cannot say that it was deliberately. Tt was a long task locat ing- the fault but it was remedied and the cable is now right.

Other members of the party are busy erecting three short-wave radio telephones for inter-communication along the beach. One is stationed at the timing apparatus and the other two at f ile dump which is located at each end of the track and will save time and the worry of knowing when Smith is leaving on each of his runs.