AIR LINE TO INDIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 43, 20 February 1929, Page 7

AIR LINE TO INDIA.

Impossible To Carry Passengers Beyond Basra. LACK OF EQUIPMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON", February 19. The "Daily Telegraph" says that although the British air line to India will operate on March 30 it will be impossible immediately to carry passengers beyond Basra, though mails and freight will be carried the whole route. The reason is the absence of wireless equipment, a meteorological service, rest houses and ground organisation, due to the long negotiations with Persia before the attainment of the recent agreement. Equipment sent to Persia in 1926 was later withdrawn owing to Persia's attitude.

EARLY DISASTER.

Frenchman's Flight To Far East. CRASH NEAE LE BOUBGET. (Australian and X.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m.) PARIS, February 19. Early disaster overtook the flight of Captain Coste to Hanoi, the capital of Tongking, which was described as not a stunt but a scientific expedition to study the establishment of a regular air mail between France and Indo-China. When over Bondy, six miles from Lβ Bourget, Captain Coste detected" oilfuel trouble and was forced to descend. The machine was wrecked but Captain Coste and his two companions were uninjured.

AERIAL ATTACKS.

SHELTEBS IK LONDON.

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON*, February 19. Sir V. L. Henderson (Con., Bottle) told a questioner in the House of Commons that the first Commissioner of Works was being directed to survey places in London suitable as shelters from aerial attack. No details of the result of, the survey could be given.