AVIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17227, 17 December 1919, Page 4

AVIATION

CAPTAIN HOWELL’S FATE STILL A MYSTERY. Prew Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. LONDON, December 15. (Received December 17, at. 9.25 a.m.) Mystery surrounds the fate of Captain Howell and Fraser. No details are known beyond Lloyd’s brief telegram. Martinsyde, Ltd., have instituted further inquiries from _ all available sources, including the Air Ministry representatives at the British Ministry in Athens. The Press agencies point out that although Lloyd’s telegram definitely stated that there was no hope of the'aviators having survived, the onlv evidence mentioned is the finding of Howell’s log-book. Martmsydes are anxiously awaiting news oi the discovery of wreckage. The machine was capable of floating for at least two hours. Although tbs worst is feared, there as still hops that the airmen mav bo picked up. Captain Howell, in. a letter written at Taranto, South Italy, expressed, himself in the highest spirits. He reported that ins engine was running splendidly. Captain Howell had been married three fo-m H f L l, ' V1 * f ° "’’I 1 P robabl y «ot be intOimed of ,he tragedy until she arrives in Australia. It is feared that the news will of lV hei -1 health!' ° Wing t0 the stata Fraser was an unmarried man. ROSS SMITH MISSING IN NORTH QUEENSLAND. f, SYDNEY, December 16. uptam Ross Smith passed Newcastle Waters on Sunday. No word has been received of him since, and search cars aro out. T . DARWIN, December 17. It is now surmised that Ross Smith is at AnJiony s Lagoon, overhauling*his engines. WINTbr, FLIGHTS OFF. LONDON. December 14. the Aero Company have decided! to suspend passenger flying during the winter, owing to insufficient demand. IMPERIAL AIR FORGE. , LONDON, December 15. Ihe House of Commons passed the Air Force Voles. ilr Cliurchill, Secretary for War, said the Air Estimates for the current year (mailed £51,900,000. It was calculated that it would take five years to pub the Air Force on a permanent basis. There woulu bo a joint Imperial War Staff for three years, thus securing single control. It was the Air Force’s first duty to garrison the Empire with a disposition of squadrons nlvcadv cabled. He considered it was not the Government’s duty to give grants to promote civil aviation. The Cape to Cairo- air mute had been completed, and it only needed an incentive to induce aviators to fly by that route. He suggested that the Rand millionaires should give a prize similar to the Australian Government’s prize.