AUSTRALIA BY AIR

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIA BY AIR

CAPTAIN SMITH'S PROGRESS. ARRIVAL IN PERSIA, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 23, 11.55 p.m. Delhi, Nov. 20. Captain Ross Smith has arrived at Basra (on the Persian Gulf).—Reuter Service. Received Nov. 24, 1 a.m. - Paris, Nov. 20. Severe weather hitherto greatly hampered Captain Ross Smith. There was a torrential downpour when he landed at Pisa, which reduced the surface of the aerodrome to a quagmire, on which the aeroplane lay in two inches of water. The machine was completely bogged, and when Captain Ross Smith attempted to depart, and the engine started, it refused to budge, and sank deeper and' deeper into the mire. Ultimately Italian mechanics dug it out. Departure was necessarily postponed. ANOTHER COMPETITOR STARTS. ARRIVAL IN FRANCE. Received Nov. 23, 5.5 pa. London, Nov. 21. The "Kangaroo" left Hounslow at 10.37 a.m. in clear weather and arrived at Romilly, ,02 miles east, of .Paris. It encountered heavy snow at Amiens. Captain Matthews has reached Dagsburg, 100 miles south-west of Mayenee (on the Rhine).—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STILL ANOTHER COMPETITOR. Received Nov. 24, f a.m. London, Nov. 20. Lieut. R. Parer is negotiating with the Beardmore Aeroplane Company with a view to competing in the Australian flight.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ALLIANCE TRAGEDY INVESTIGATION. London, Nov. 18. It is understood that Miss Woolley Will be afforded an opportunity of appearing before the Air Ministry Investigation Committee, sitting in private. The authorities are reluctant to anticipate the result, but the Australian Press understands that they do not attach much importance to the suggestion that there were not sufficient teats made. The evidence on this point will .probably satisfy Miss Woolley. It is pointed out that the machine underwent a thorough, independent examination by officials who granted an air-worthiness certificate prior to the departure of Lieutenant Ross and Captain Douglas. Experts agree with Mr. Peters that the machine probably developed a spin in the clouds and failed to right itself owing to the low altitude. Received Nov. 24, 1 a.m. London, Nov. 20. In view of the verdict at the Coroner's inquest, the Australian headquarters is not participating in an investigation of the Surbiton disaster, but has requested the Air Ministry to supply a complete re-port.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.