THERE AND BACK

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1927, Page 7

THERE AND BACK

BRITISH ATLANTIC FLIGHT TO REGAIN PRESTIGE (Australian anil N.Z. Cable Association.. (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, July 20. The airman Courtney is expected to start his flight to New York at noon to-day from Southampton, in an attempt to recover British air prestige. If is calculated that the flight to New York will occupy forty-three hours, and the return flight forty hours, the difference being due to the prevalent westerly wind, which has contributed to the American successes. Courtney will be accompanied by Navigating Officer Downey and Engineer R. F. Little. LATER— Courteney’s start is postponed to Thursday as the result of half an hour’s trial flight this morning to test the wireless. Adjustments are necessary which cannot be completed today. LADY’S ROUND TRIP. LONDON, July 20. From a sleeping bag alongside a tiny Avro-Avian, Mrs Elliott Lynn crept out at three yesterday mroning, at the Woodford Aerodrome, and cranked up the engine unaided, and set off for a round England flight, before the Aerodrome staff were awake. The first hour she steered moonwise, and by nine, had visited thirty places. The southerly limit was Southampton. She kept on averaging eighty miles hourly, and made seventynine landings. ' She re-fuelled seven times, and also took light snacks herself. She lost a map overboard at Gosport, but this was replaced at the next stop. “It was a glorious trip. The sole object was the demonstrating and dependability of the aeroplane for business and pleasure.” She covered 1250 miles, and landed at 7.30 this evening at Newcastle on Tyne. SCHNEIDER CUP. LONDON, July 19. Experts are promised the opportunity shortly of seeing in flight three high-speed aeroplanes, the Crusader, the Gloster and the super-marine 85, with which the Air Ministry hopes to wrest from Italy the coveted Schneider Cup. It is hoped that the swiftest machine will have a maximum speed of 300 miles per hour.

TASMAN COMPETITION, MELBOURNE, July 20. The President of the Aero Club has announced that lie has requested the Commonwealth Government to grant a prize of £5OOO for a flight from Australia to New Zealand. He added: “Unless Australia hurries, New Zealand will beat us in the flight The Dominion Government has already offered to take over the machine used, at four-fifths of the price, which will spur on the New Zealanders to attempt the flight.” GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. WELLINGTON, July 19. The Government is favourably disposed towards the proposed aerial flight between Australia and New Zealand, and will lend its support to the project, according to a statement made in the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister for Defence (Mr Rolleston) in reply to a question by Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East). Mr Lee wanted to know whether the Government intended to do anything to encourage the flight, as he understood that the proposal at the moment was being seriously considered in Auckland by a committee. A statement by the Government at an early date was likely to facilitate the flight, and ensure that steps would be taken for New Zealanders to cross the Tasman. In reply the Minister stated that the matter had been brought before the Government by a deputation of Auckland citizens a short times ago, and was" under consideration. The position was that the Government was prepared to lend its assistance to the project, and take over the aeroplane used in the flight at four-fifths of the original cost, provided it was of approved pattern. The balance would be raised as the committee intended, by public subscription.