IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1919, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

A COMFORTABLE VOYAGE,

j R34'S ATLANTIC PASSAGS. - By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. New York, July 7. The Mineola correspondent of the New York Times writes: The official log of the R34 shows that the voyage was quite comfortable. The men worked in shifts of four hours and slept for four hours. Meats composed the chief part of their diet, although the men had warm drinks prepared by a special cooker Breakfast consisted of hard boiled eggs, bread and butter, and hot tea; luncheon of cold meats, chocolate, and water; tea consisted of bread and butter, greengage jam, cake, and hot tea, bread and butter. Music during meals was supplied by a gramaphone. The men slept in sleeping bags in hammocks The dirigible was equipped with a wireless directional indicator of 300 miles radius, a wirelosS of 1200 Tadius, and a telephone with 100 mile radius. Sometimes the airship was badly bumped by sharp winds and storms, but on the whole it remained on an even keel.

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says that Mr. Daniels, | Secretary for the Navy, sent a congi. n - i latory telegram to Commander Scott and Lord Rending on the achievements of the R34 coming soon after the flights of Brown, Aloock, and Hawker- They completed a remarkable series of accomplishments in aviation in which British and Americans make take just pride, and which will serve to increase the cordial relations between the two navies.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE RETURN JOURNEY. Received July 11, 12.10 a.m. New York, July 10. The R34 started from Mineola at midnight of the 9th on its homeward flight to England. It passed over New York one hour fifteen minutes later.—Aus.N.Z, Cable Assn. BRITISH AIRSHIP PROGRAMME. Received July 10, 8 p.m. London, August 9. Mr. H. W. Long (First llord of the Admiralty), speaking in the' House of Commons, said that six improved rigid airships were under construction and would cost £2,200,000. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.