GOING TO FISH

Evening Star, Issue 20999, 13 January 1932, Page 8

GOING TO FISH

SPEED RECORD ATTEMPT POSTPONED * ■ AWAITING FULL-MOON TIDES [Pee United Peess Association.! NINETY-MILE BEACH, January 12, After waiting patiently for a little over a week “ Wizard ” Smith decided late this afternoon to postpone his attempt on the world’s land speed records. The decision was reached after; a conference with the Auckland Automobile Racing Club. In all probability attempts on the ten and five-mile records will be made between January 22 and January 26, when there will be full-moon tides. Mr Smith is pinning his faith on the tide on February 4 for tackling the “ flying mile.” Ever since the party established its headquarters at Waipapakauri conditious have been unstable, and the beach' has never cleared up properly near lowj water level. It has been good, but that has not suited Smith, who requires dry sand for racing. Higher up, where it dries quicker when the tide recedes, the sand has been corrugated in places with deep washouts. .The spring tides are now gone, and there is little hope of improvement until the full moon. With nothing definite most of the officials could not stay on, and all except the man in charge of the timing apparatus are leaving for home to-mor-row. However, they will available within three hours if Smith makes a; hurried decision, which is unlikely, as the racer is contemplating a fishing trip to the Bay of Islands. The two mechanics will spend a lonely time in charge of the Enterprise in the Hukatere garage. The post office erected by the department near the garage will be closed to-morrow night, when it will be vacated. A man will remain to act as caretaker.

HARKNESS IN SYDNEY PROMISES STATEMENT TO PRESS, Pres* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

SYDNEY, January 12. Don Harkness, the colleague of “ Wizard ” Smith, arrived in Sydney, to-day. He declined to clear up the mystery why he returned from New. Zealand. He said he came hack to do certain work, and would return to the dominion shortly. He would make a statement to the Press in due course. Considerable interest is being displayed in Australia in “Wizard”! Smith’s attempt to break the land speed record in New Zealand. The preliminary arrangements which were cabled "from the dominion are featured' in all the chief daily newspapers.

FLYING MILE IN FEBRUARY *

WAITING FOR "KING" TIDE

[Pee United Peess Association.]

NINETY MILE BEACH, January 13.Once again Smith found it -impossible to try for the ten-mile record, as announced yesterday, and at a meeting of the officials last night it. was decided to postpone the attempts on the speed records until January 22, then the spring tides return, and it is hoped the beach will be right for the attack on the five and ten-mile times. The mile run will be left until February 4, _ when the “ king ” tide, the biggest tide of the year, is due. The beach has been dead against Smith since he went into headquarters at Waipapakauri. He was unwilling to make the attempt with the beach, unfavourable, and, as the officials could not stay indefinitely, a decision was reached for a general exodus of Waipapakauri to-day. The Auckland Automobile Racing Club officials and the timing experts left for_ Auckland,while the majority of Smith’s party; are going away for a short time. It is possible that Smith ‘may go big game fishing. The two mechanics, who have been sleeping at the garage, are staying on. Although Smith is quite satisfied with'the car after the trial on Monday, he may give her a spin .to keep her oiled. If he finds the beach favourable between now and January 22 he can recall the officials at short notice. The post_ office erected near, the garage is closing down this evening, when it will be vacated, except for a man or two to act as caretakers.