WAY OF THE AIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1928, Page 7

WAY OF THE AIR.

FLIGHT IN AUSTRALIA.

Progressive Air Mail

Schemes.

'PLANE FOR SINGAPORE.

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

CANBERRA, this day. The aviator, Flight-Lieutenant L. Wackett, leaves Sydney for Singapore by a Widgeon 11. on Friday in pursuance of a proposal for the development of Empire air routes. Mr. S. M. Bruce states that a farEastern flight was arranged at the last Imperial Conference.

The four superniarine Southampton flying boats are now at Singapore and are preparing to return to Melbourne with Flight-Lieutenant Wackett and his flying companions.

Night flying will be a feature of the East to West mail service between Perth and Adelaide, which is being established shortly. The Government is now forming landing grounds and it is expected the air mail will make a difference of a week in the delivery of letters to the Eastern States from Britain.

MAROONED FLYERS

Rescue 'Plane Sets Out For

Greenly Island.

ILLNESS DELAYS START.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

(Received 10 a.m.)

MONTREAL, April 22.

The Ford 'plane which is proceeding to the relief of the marooned Atlantic flyers, Herr Koehl (pilot), Baron von Huehnefeld and Major J. C. Fitzmaurice, at Greenly Island, lias hopped off from Murray Bay, Quebec, to-day. The start of the flight was delayed by the sudden illness of both pilots. Lieutenant Bennett developed influenza during the night, and it was later learned that Lieutenant Balchen was suffering from the same malady. The 'plane had been loaded and was ready to take off when word reached the field that both flyers were ill. Lieutenant Balchen had left a hospital in Detroit to make the northern flight.

It was expected that Mr. Duke Schiller, the Canadian airman, would replace Lieutenant Bennett. Major Fitzmaurice is expected to accompany Lieutenant Balchen and Mr. Schiller.

EN ROUTE FOR NEW YORK.

AIRMEN'S WIVES,

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, April 22.

Mrs. Fitzmaurice and her daughter joined the German liner Dresden at Queenstown for New York. In an interview Mrs. Fitzmaurice said: "I will not prevent my husband from flying back. Y\"liy should I'! He knows what he is doins."

Frau Koehl, wife of the pilot of the Bremen, is also a passenger by the same ship.