MELBOURNE AIR RACE

Evening Star, Issue 21819, 7 September 1934, Page 7

MELBOURNE AIR RACE

NEW ZEALAND ENTRANTS , MACHINE NEARLY READY Press Association—-By Telegraph—Copyright. : LONDON, September 6. (Received September 7, at 11 a.m.) . Delivery of the New Zealanders’ Dragon for the centenary air race is due' before the end of September. Meanwhile Kay and Hewitt have been familiarising themselves with the new designs and instruments. The New Zealanders begin next week full load tests with an older type of machine, but similar in design. NO INDIAN COMPETITORS. CALCUTTA, September 6. (Received September 7, at 11 a.m.) India 'will not be represented in the air race. The only Indian entrant, V. L. Chaudi, has abandoned the_ attempt because his pilot, A. Murad, is unable to secure leave. " SMITHY'S " TROUBLES NOT ALLOWED TO GARRY FULL TANKS (Psb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 7. Fresh troubles are being encountered by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in his preparations for the air race, according to a cablegram received by his father-in-law, Mr A. Powell, on arrival at Auckland by the Mariposa to-day. The message rea4: “ Owing to the_ tightening of the regulations, controlling the air race, I will not be allowed to carry full petrol, tanks, thereby necessitating intermediate landings, and _ greatly minimising my chances of winning, unless all other competitors are similarly handicapped, which is improbable.” Mr Powell, who helped to finance the purchase of the Lady Southern Cross, said “ Smithy’s ” intention had been merely to record his arrival at some of the intermediate landing stations, and go on without wasting time filling his tanks. He (Mr Powell) was at a loss to understand why all these obstacles were being put in Smith’s way. Sir Charles, in the cablegram, said the certificate of the plane’s airworthiness ■would probably not be granted for two weeks, but he expected that it would be granted before his departure for England. ■