AERIAL SURVEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1919, Page 10

AERIAL SURVEY.

PROSPECTING LABRADOR, An aeroplane expedition for the survey of lumber and water power in Labrador is to be conducted during the summer by a Newfoundland lumber company. The expedition will mark the first of a series of explorations in which the aeronautical developments of the great war bear direct relation. The aeroplane, so valuable in surveying the topography of the fighting districts during the war, is now to render the same kind of service to the forces of construction. In this way it is planned to accomplish in six weeks what, by tli.i method of cruising by canoe and on fooi With native guides, would ordinarily take five years. It is the company's idea to use an aeroplane to get views with high-powered cameras all over th« 2500 square miles of untrodden ground. There exist in the southern part of Labrador great wooded slopeß and unexplored riverß which will furnish here, after some part of the greaitly needed lumber and pulp supplies. At the head of this expedition is Capt. Daniel Owen, who served as an aviator on the western front. He has laid out a complete plan for the enterprise, and has engaged pilots, machinists, surveyors, etc., to the number of 20. His equipment includes a wireless outfit, cameras, and incidentals for the feeding and comfort of his party. They will fly over the whole area, plotting land which heretofore has never been explored. They will follow the courses of three large rivers which drain the property, taking photographs from the air, and also landing in convenient spaces to get close up to photograph possible electric power plant locations. The expedition is furnished with two Curtiss biplanes, which have been tested in actual flying, and are equipped with interchangeable pontoons for work over the rivers s spare parts will be taken, f&ough to rebuild one machine