THE AIR RACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1919, Page 5

THE AIR RACK.

CAPTAIN ROSS SMITH. DDE AT DARWIN TO-MORROW. By T«l«crapi,—Prws Assn.—Cewrrijht. '< Darwin, Dec. 8. Elaborate arrangements are being htade for the reception of Captain Rose Smith, who cabled from Singapore that b« expected to reach Darwin on Wednes-*ty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Ajsn. TSE FLIGHT DESCRIBED. SPUTHERN CROSS AS AN OMEN,

Received Dec. 8, 7,2$ p.m. Sydney, Dec. 8. A cable received by the Sun from Captain Ross Smith, dated Singapore the sth, says:-w"I »m working on the machine preparing for the last stage. I have diieardtd moat of our kit and some fpun, taking only necessaries. PractittUy tlit whole population have visited tttßMUs*," CftMjag w the 9th, early in the morning, s* uym "We mt the Southern Cww, ud regarded it fti a good omen. We left »t wv«, a large crowd seeing W off. From • nmftll racecourse, the machine lifted splendidly, and, after aircltog the city, we proceeded south along the coast of Sumatra. The country was all dense jungle, and /the passage was very bumpy, and some rain fell as we passed over the Thousand Isles to TMgerwg. Thiuee we passed Batuvia, »nd arrhred at KUJdgat* at four o'clock. We had an enthusiastic welcome, and a by the Governor-General. Flying officers presented laurel wreaths to us. We hope to Teach Sourabaya to-morrow."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asßn. MACHINE GOING WELL. DffIRCDLTJES q,F THE FLIGHT. - lUeeived Dec. 9, 1250 *.m. Sydney, Dec, 8. . Ctptain Ro»s Smith cables from Sourabaya on the Ttb,:—'*We left Kalabajati at T. 30, and arrived at Sourabaya at soott alter an uneventful and good trip. Tb» Mmrwne » on new reclaimed land, ud ywy soft. After landing, the machine, sank to the axles, and we had great dlibulty in getting it out, and tfcen we got begged again. Eventually we had to build a bamboo road for the machine, with two hundred coolies employed. It t»l£ seven hours to push the Vimy five bwdwd yard* "We are all right now, and in the ' morning we will build a road of bamboo mats for taking off. The greatest as- * Mmm vm given by Dutch officers and local officials, including the British Commissioner, Mr. Dalton. We hope to reach Bima Soombawa on the Bth, Atamboo* Timor .on the 9th, and Darwin on the 10th, We will then take a few day*' rait, file jertw are all well, but very tired, especially the mechanics, who Work wonderfully well, and sometimes all tight The Vimy is going beautifully." -Aua/iN-Z. Cable Aisn.

1 CAPTAIN WILKINS. ARRIVAL IN ITALY. Received Dec. 9, 12.20 «.m. London, Dec; 4. Captain WlUrins arrived at Taraftto <m Wednesday.—Reuter Service. [Captain Wilkins. who is flying a .Blackburn Kangaroo machine, left London on November 21st.]