CAIRO TO THE CAPE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 119, 13 February 1920, Page 7

CAIRO TO THE CAPE

SECRECY CONCERNING BIG FLIGHT

ONE MACHINE WRECKED IN EGYPT (ByTelegrauh-Press Association-Copyright fEec. February 12, 7.50 p.m.) London, February 10. The secrecy concerning the Cairo to Cane flieht continues. The competing firms absolutely decline to give any information until Egypt is reached. Accordimr to olficial information, Lieutenant Cotton is still at Le Bourget, but varying reports are abroad. The Australian Press Association learns from an unofficial but reliable source that tho machine did not touch at Le Bonrgot. but made a magnificent ten hours' flight from Lvmune, uud landed in the durk near Brindisi. The longest flight from England yet accomplished is the performance of tho South African machine Silver Queen of fourteen hours. After living all nigh* Ion? iu adverse weather tho machine landed at Solium on Sunday, and proceeded to Cairo on Monday. There has been no news of the Handlev Pnse machine since it left Brindisi. Lieutenant Coekorell's Vickers machine is still undergoing repairs at Ifhartoum. It. is understood that tho Blackburn Company contemplates entering for the race, and is negotiating with Australian airmen. Meanwhile negotiations for securing an engine for the Kangaroo machine aro proceeding. When the eneino is mounted in the machine the quesfinn of whether the Kangaroo will bo diverted to the Cape, instead of a new machine, will bo considered. Captain Wilkins will not participate in further stages of tho flight, but may return, to Australia or engage in a few months study in preparation for taking part m Pr. Cone's 'Antarctic expedition. Lieutenant Williams is en route to Australia, but. Rendle. Potts, and another mechanic are determined to carry on in the Kangaroo, preferably to Australia, rather than to the Cane. Litigation is fending in refcrenco to recovery of the insurance on" tho damaged engine.—Aus.-N T .Z. Cable Assn. SILVER QUEEN WRECKED. (Rec. February 12, 7.50 p.m.) Cairo, February 11. Tho Silver Queen mnchino crashed near Wadi Haifa, owing to evaporation of the water in the radiator. Tho machine ■was wrecked, but tho aviators aro safe.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ADSTRAUAMLIGHT BOSS SMITH BEGINS FINAL STAGE. {Rec. February 12, 10.20 p.m.) Brisbane, February 12. Sir Ross Smith has completed repairs to his aeroplane. Ho flew from Charleville to Bourke en routs south. Ho is expected at Sydney on Saturday—Press teen.