AIR RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1934, Page 8

AIR RACE.

NEW ZEALAND ENTRY.

FINALISING NOMINATION.

BRITISH MACHINE IN VIEW,

With only two clays left before nominations close, arrangements are now being finalised for the submission of' New Zealand's entry for the great Melbourne Centenary air race. Short of the completion of the formalities, it can be announced definitely that SquadronLeader J. D. Hewett and Flying-Officer Cyril Kay, of Mangerc, will represent the Dominion with a British-made machine. * . "

The unofficial committee of prominent business men and aero club enthusiasts who have been behind the project paving the way for the pending developments, will be incorporated within a few days and assume official status. Details of the programme to be followed in the financing of the venture will then be arranged, and determinations made on questions which are still outstanding Nominations close at mid-day on Friday, so that the committee will require to work rapidly to implement the first stage of the project and decide also whether Messrs. Hewett and Kay will enter for'the speed as well as the handicap event. A Dragon Moth. Negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of a suitable 'plane, which is estimated to cost about £3500. A machine which offers the advantages sought and complies with the conditions of the- race is a Dragon, twin-engine, sixcylinder Moth, produced by the De Havilland Company in England, where the purchase will be made. This type of machine has the international certificate of air worthiness and meets the requirements as to instrument equipment and so forth. Normally, within its certificate of air worthiness, the Dragon has a range of 1600 miles, with a maximum range, with overload of petrol, of 3000 miles. Its maximum speed is 165 miles an hour. The Dragon Moth is regarded by British experts as a type eminently suitable for the race, bearing in mind all the factors, including the nature of the landing grounds which will be available en route'. Art Union Conditions. ; The issue of the permit to conduct an art union for the raising of funds, as announced in last night's "Star," is subject - to conditions, the main one of which is a guarantee that a machine will be purchased and that it will take part in the race. The profit to be received by the committee from the art union is to be limited to £8000, the amount estimated for the financing of the venture. Any sum in excess is to be devoted' to the relief of distress at the discretion of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The prizes offered in the art union will total £1000, and tickets, will be on sale throughout New Zealand. It is expected, as pointed out yesterday, that the receipts will be supplemented by subscriptions and donations.

There is no likelihood, it is stated, of the project not being proceeded v/itfi. Completion of formalities and the coirduct of negotiations on various aspects of the undertaking have delayed the issue of a comprehensive official statement, but this is expected to be forthcoming by the end of the current week.

The publicity so far given the movement is arousing considerable public interest in the race, which itself promises to write a new chapter in the history of world aviation. With New Zealand a competitor, and the entrants drawn from Auckland. The fillip which aviation in tiie Dominion will receive as a result should be considerable.