TO AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18725, 23 June 1926, Page 16

TO AUSTRALIA.

CAPTAIN COBHAM'S FLIGHT. (BY CABLE—HtESS ASSOCIATION' —COPYRIGHT.) (EEUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) LONDON, June 21. At liis farewell luncheon to the airman Captain Alan Cobham, Sir Joseph Cook, Australian High Commissioner, 'wishing the flyer "God-speed" for his flight to Australia, said that conditions in Australia made air development imperative. "Without flying," he said, "wo would remain isolated and marooned within the Empire. I see no reason why Captain Cobham should not return with Mr Stanley Bruce for the Imperial Conference." Captain Cobham announced that he was starting at the end of the week aboard a seaplane. Owing to the monsoons in India, he intended changing the floats for wheels at Port Darwin. He pleaded for leniency in case of failure, and emphasised that the lack of organisation increased the risks. Once the route was organised anybody would be able to push off and fly anywhere. [Captain A. J. Cobham is amongst Britain's foremost aviators, and has been awarded the Air Force Cross in recognition of his valued and distinguished service in the interests of ajviation. He intends to accomplish the journey to Australia in a de Haviland 50 machine, fitted with a 400 h.p. Armstrong, Siddeley-Jaguar engine, the same 'plane in which he recently accomplished his London to Cape Town flight. He will take with him an engineer and cinematograph operator.] COST GUARANTEED. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received June 22nd, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. Captain . Cobham goes to Rochester to-morrow to make final tests of the seaplane. He will then decide his time of departure. He has now been guaranteed the whole of the heavy cost of his flight to Australia.