LONG AIR RACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 121, 12 August 1927, Page 1

LONG AIR RACE

AMERICA TO HAWAII THE DOLE PRIZE POSTPONEMENT REJECTED 5 (Xoble. —Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 12.32 p m. HONOLULU, Thurs. The flight committee here has rejected the suggestion Irom San Francisco of a postponement o£ the race from Oakland to Honolulu for the Dole prize of £7,000. The starters w ill take off at noon on Friday. Reed. 9-5 a.m. OAKLAND, Thurs. A certain amount of confusion and disagreement exists among Dole prize contestants regarding the advisability of postponing the race, because of the unpreparedness of some of the entrants. Others allege that a postponement would be unfair to those who have already prepared. The Air Association has cabled the Dole Committee of Honolulu, urging a two weeks’ postponement, and adding that if the planes are all ready before that :ime, the flight could start sooner.

It is generally believed that the deaths of Lieutenants Covell and Waggener, the Navy fliers, who drew position No. 13, was partly due to hasty preparations causing a defective fuelling system. Both men were burned when the plane crashed. A fear of other disasters is thought to have inspired a plea for postponement. On the other hand, there is a possibility that several entrants will take off on Friday, even if the race is postponed, though the majority of those ready to start declared that they would abide by the committee's decision unless the others started. Smith and Giles made no statement on the situation. Honolulu despatches indicate that the members of the committee are divided. Mr. Kenneth Barnes said: “Although I am not able to forecast the result of the meeting to-day, the recommendation of the San Francisco committee will go a long way toward helping us to reach a decision.” Captain Lowell Smith indicated that he would not agree to a postponement, because the entrants had been already given ample time to prepare, and the weather conditions were excellent. Mr. Dole declared that he would abide by the committee’s decision. —A. and N.Z.