FLYING HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 252, 23 October 1919, Page 5

FLYING HOME.

JAPTAIN MATTHEWS' TASK. lEAK TEST AFTER SINGAPORE. ENFORCED LANDING IN FRANCE. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10.5 am.) LONDON, October 22. H. G. Hawker, interviewed, said that 'aptain Matthew 3 should be all right as ar as Singapore. After that the difli■ulties would be great, and would conititutc the real test. With a little bit >! luck he did not see why the trip should no bo accomplished. Captain Matthews and Sergeant Kay started in the presence of many Australians. British flying officers cheered as the Sopwith rose. The party included H. G. Hawker, who arrived in a Sopwith triplane at the last moment. Captain Matthews arrived at 5.. - SO, and the mechanics were already tuning up the machine, which ran splendidly. The fog lifted at 11, and Matthews and Kay :lonned their leather fur-lined kit, looking ready for an Arctic expedition. The crowd meanwhile was anxiously watching the Continental weather reports, and the board showing the day's departures, nn which the following was posted: "Machine Sopwith, destination Australia, time when fog clears." Captain Matthews, interviewed before setting out. said: "1 hope to will the £10.0110 prize, but that is not the only incentive. 1 am anxious to demonstrate the splendid quality of the machine. The prize is big, but it must be remembered that the machine cost £8,000. If it be humanly possible we arc going to win. We have been working on the plans of the ilight for live months, and are satisfied with the results. We arc not carrying wireless, owing to its limited range. Moreover, 1 am not a wireless expert. We will rely on luck to get over the sea sections, and wo are carrying a high velocity magazine ritle and a mauser pistol in case of forced landing among hostile natives." Prince Albert telegraphed: "May good fortune attend you on your sporting flight." A message from General Scelv read: "1 wish you the best of luck in your sporting attempt to fly tn Australia." General F. 11. Sykes' (Chief of the Air Staff) telegraphed: "Success to your efTort." Captain Matthews rose at 11.4."> a.m., and circled above the aerodrome for 25 minutes. lie then headed for France. The flight was begun under favourable conditions, but. owing to fog. Captain Matthews was obliged to land at Marquise, on the French coast, near Calais. (A. and N.Z. Cable.)