“WIZARD” SMITH

Evening Star, Issue 20993, 6 January 1932, Page 6

“WIZARD” SMITH

TIMING APPARATUS TESTED [Pan United Press ASSOCIATION.] NINETY MILE BEACH, January 6. 'An important branch of the work at Ninety Mile Beach, the testing of the timing apparatus, was carried out today by Mr Cuff, who is in charge of the work, .which was interrupted yesterday by a rising tide, which nearly caught Mr Cuff’s car with the delicate instruments aboard. The car was surrounded by a wave, but was pulled out before it sank deep in the sand. . The apparatus is the first of the kind ever used outside Europe or the United States. It is functioned by a breaking beam light at the start and finish, the distance and period between the two being indicated on a ribbon paper written upon by three electricallyoperated pens. It is thus possible to convert the time into miles per hour. Smith was not present on the beach to-day, being confined to bed with a cold, but will probably be about again this afternoon.

REPORTED SPLIT [Frit United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 6. Following the reports from Sydney that there has been a split between “Wizard” Smith and Mr Don Harkness, the designer and builder of the car which is now on Ninety Mile Beach, Mr Harkuess announced to-day that he will leave for Sydney on Friday and probably return by the next trip of the Ulimaroa in about a fortnight. He declined to make any statement, saying that there were too many interests to be studied, but he thanked the local motorists and organisations for their help, and wished the car the best of luck. '