MUCH IN THE AIR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 428, 9 August 1928, Page 11

MUCH IN THE AIR

THE SV2TB SYDNEY LETTER

PREPARATIONS FOR TASMAN FLIGHT SYDNEY TAKES UP BASEBALL SYDNEY, August 3. There has been much in the air this week, speaking literally as well as figuratively.. On Wednesday there was excitement on the harbour when the supermarine flying-boats of the Royal Naval Air Force alighted on the waters near Pinchgut and “taxied ’ into Farm Cove. THEY will remain here long enough to refit and take in supplies. Then they will continue their way up the Queensland coast, in the process of circling Australia before starting back for Great Britain. An advance party has already arranged supplies along the coast. The big boats look about four times the size of an ordinary plane, though not as large as Kingsford Smith’s Southern Cross. Another air item concerns a threepassenger American Eagle plane which was landed in cases from the Sierra on Tuesday. This is the first commercial plane to be imported into Australia from America, and rumour has it that a very distinguished airman will be engaged to fly it on special work later. Southern Cross and New Zealand It is unfortunate that since landing from his epic flight, Squadron-leader Kingsford Smith should have been bothered with Court cases, one in connection with his divorce and the other, which is now on, in regard to the claim of Mr. Anderson, who went to America with the party in the first place, but afterwards returned, for a share of the profits. There are rumours of a “story” behind this affair, as Anderson and Kingsford Smith greeted one another like long-lost brothers when the Southern Cross reached Mascot airdrome.

The point which interests New Zealand is that the flight across the Tasman has been postponed till next moon, another four weeks from today. In the meantime the Southern Cross has been up for exercise, with Mr. Maidment, the builder’s expert, keeping a keen eye on her engines and equipment, and with the new members of the crew on board to get the big plane’s “atmosphere,” in which they will do historic things. The trip to Perth should test out the machine satisfactorily, and doubtless all will be well concerning the Court cases when the hop-off for New Zealand is made. Baseball Team From United States

Sydney people of all classes and ages have suddenly developed a deep interest in baseball, the cause of this being the arrival of the Stanford team, with all its paraphernalia of bats and padded suits and steel guards. The “rooting” or barracking by the members of the team has opened the eyes of fans, who have hitherto reserved that privilege—of saying scathing things to the players—to themselves. Baseball has a fair hold in Sydney, and this visit will give the game a good boost along. The defeat of Stanford by Victoria in the first game of the huge carnival which is being held at the slioware always canvas streamers with the they had some real players here. Stanford “came back” when they defeated South Australia., but they still have a heavy programme to get through ere they can return with flying colours They never forget they are Americans, and Old Glory on a long flag-pole always flies from their car as they go to or from the grounds. They know how to advertise, and on the big car are always canvas strainers with the words, American Baseball Team, painted large on them. Shipping Revival The arrival yesterday of Mr. Basil Sanderson, general manager of George Thompson and Co., proprietors of the Aberdeen Line, may mean much in the shipping of Australia. The Aberdeen Line recently absorbed the Australian Commonwealth Line, and Air. Sanderson has come out to take over the offices and organisation and select the men whom he intends to retain in the service. There has been much conjecture as to whether the Commonwealth Line. offices will be retained or the hand- . ling of the Aberdeen-Commonwealth 1 line done by Dalgety and Co., who already are agents for the old Aberdeen Line. The retention of the offices and organisation is more likely, as it is believed that Lord ICylsant intends j to develop the traffic of the line lie has j just bought, and in conjunction with the Cunard and White Star Lines, ! maintain a first-class service to Europe. The fact that the C. and D. I cargo and passenger steamers will now use the Suez route lends colour to this belief, as they are really Cunard boats. The comments yesterday of the Governor of South Australia regarding the slowness of travel between Australia and England, reflect the opinions of many Australians, and any faster services will be welcomed. Live Hares at Coursing_JVleetings There are many people in Sydney who would have been more pleasea to see Air. Bavin abolish coursing with live hares, instead of killing the tinhare sport by forbidding betting on the courses. Only recently has the cruelty of live hare racing been exposed, though doubtless it has been going on for some time. Theoretically, it is a fair game for the hares, which are supposed to know the bolt-holes ! and understand that if they make good speed they have a chance of escape. But often the hares are new, not trained at all, and moreover, in their first days of captivity, refuse to eat, so that they become weak. The result of this is that sometimes they die of fright, before the dogs touch them. In other cases they cannot “speed” and are soon caught and torn to ribbons, a ] most disgusting sight. Anything , more diabolically cruel cannot be \ imagined than the proposal, to be car- ! ried out on Saturday, to have live hares on the tin-hare course, and muzzle the dogs. It is expected that the S.P.C.A. will intervene, but not till after at least one hare has been scared stiff. WILL LAWSON.