AVIATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1928, Page 7

AVIATION

HTNCHCLTFFE TR AGEDY

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

OTTAWA, March 21.

A Canadian flying officer, searching in the State of Maine foi’ Hinchcliffe, reported on Wednesday night that no wreckage had been seen during the day’s operations.

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS.

LONDON, March 23.

Sir S. TToare told questioners in the Commons that he had no further information regarding Hinchcliffe’s “Endeavour.” At the commencement of the flight from Cranwell, he telegraphed the Air Ministry that no destination had been mentioned, and it was assumed that Hinchcliffe was going to an aerodrome near DuKTin. No change of plans was reported to the Ministry. He said that Kinkead on the fatal flight used a special fuel which was experimental. The establishment and two service squadrons had prolongedly tested it. It contained a portion of ethyl. There was no evidence that the petrol fumes had disabled Kinkead.

CHRISTCHURCH FLYING CLUB.

(Special to “Star.")

CHRISTCHURCH, March 22

Encouraged by the fact that the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates), while in Christchurch definitely assured a reporter that Government assistance in the formation of a flying club in Christchurch would be given, a. group of enthusiasts are taking steps actually to form a club, which will then urge the Government to provide equipment as soon as possible. A letter has been sent to the Secretary of the Sydney Flying Club, asking for particulars of that club’s organisation, for the amount of subscriptions paid by members, both flying and non-flying, and for details of the assistance which the club' receives from the Australian Government. As soon as sufficient data lias been received, a public meeting will be called to form a committee to appoint officers, when a club will be organised sufficiently to show the Government there is a very definite demand for their promised assistance. “We should be organised within a month,” said one of those interested to a reporter to-day. “Provided there is no delay in getting assistance which the Government has promised us, there is no reason why we should not be flying before the end of the year. We are. sure from our own investigations there are a large number of people, mainly young men, who will, join up as soon as they get a chance. Older people may take a little more convincing. imt tiiose of them who have visited England or the Continent recently will realise the possibility of the movement, and give us their support. We are confident that the Government., realising the advantages of the scheme, will do" its utmost to support it. We only hope it will show it is going to he in the lead in civil aviation by granting us even bigger subsidies than the clubs get in other countries . 'lhe amount of money involved is not large in any case.”