COSTLY WIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 514, 17 November 1928, Page 9

COSTLY WIFE

Sir James Heath Jibs About Debts

“NOT RESPONSIBLE”

CUnited P.A.—By Telegraph Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON. Friday. Interest has been aroused by the publication of an announcement by Sir James Heath that he will not be responsible for debts contracted by Lady Heath. The announcement adds that Lady Heath is in receipt of an adequate allowance. Sir James Heath is 76 and his wife id

Sir James, Interviewed, said he in no way objected to his wife’s flying. On the contrary, he had done everything to help, otherwise it would have been impossible for her to continue so long. He had bought, her two new machines. “1 am proud of her achievements; but she spends money like wildfire. I’ve published the announcement all over America, because lam forced to protect myself. It won’t surprise her. I have made the position clear to her already.”

At the time when Lady Heath and Lady Bailey raced in airplanes from Africa to London, "Time,” an American paper, gave a very fresh sketch of these women:— “Behind the flight of Lady Heath there was jealousy and god British goldt—he gold that comes from coal and iron mines which husbands own. Her husband. Sir James Heath, is 76. She is pretty and 31, and got for her wedding present from him a turquoise blue plane to match her favourite stone. “The day before their marriage, last October, she had taken the plane up above London to establish an altitude record of 111,000 feet. A few weeks later she kissed Sir James good-bye, embarked for Capetown. South Africa, whence she quickly began to fly across all Africa toward London. If she succeeded, a new female flight record would be hers, but a rival, an ‘other woman’ loomed. “The other woman was Lady Mary Bailey. She, too, was an aviatrix and the not quite so young wife (38) of a richer but not quite so old baronet. Sir Abe Bailey, 63. The gold of Sir Abe came from diamond mines and from other oldtime South African transactions which gained for him he dubious title of ‘one of Cecil Rhodes’s young men.’ “Time” discussed the race, and went on:— “Both women are already known to fame. Last year hey sat side by side above London, the nose bf their plane tilted up till it set a new altitude-record for Moths. Lithe Lady Sophie is admittedly the hardier —first woman to loop the loop in England. In a cruel speed - race she zoomed to the finish line a few' yards ahead of Lady Mary, who had been ieading. But it was the International League of Aviators which threw the apple of discord Into the air; it pronounced Lady Mary, Sir Abe’s wife, to be ‘champion lady aviator of 19-7.