AVIATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1934, Page 8

AVIATION

TWO AUSTRALIANS DROWNED. [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYEIGHT.] SYDNEY, February 10. A Moth plane crashed in the Cook River to-day ,and two men, Sergeant Brown and Airman Bundy, were trapped in the cockpit and drowned. The tragedy occurred as the result of a tailspin, as the plane was making a sharp turn. The plane had been built by Brown to enter for the Melbourne Centenary Race. When it settled on the water, the wings folded over the cockpit, imprisoning both men. I Brown leaves a wife and child. Bundy’s wife died last month. • The same plane crashed a year ago at Richmond, when Flying Officer Blaney was killed. CRASH THROUGH ROOF. (Reed. February 12, 1 p.m.) BRISBANE, February 12. Going into a spin at about 3000 feet, a Moth plane crashed through a roof of a house at Woollongabba. The pilot Roy Tucker, and his woman passenger, and three occupants of the house, had miraculous escapes from death. Tucker suffered head injuries. N.Z. APPOINTMENT. WELLINGTON, February 11. An important step for the encouragement of aviation in New Zealand has been taken by the Government through the appointment of Mr. E. A. Gibson, Assistant-Engineer of the Public Works Department, Christchurch, to carry out special work in the development of aerodromes and landing grounds in different parts of the Dominion. Notification of Mr. Gibson’s transfer to the Head Office of the Department at Wellington has just been received. He will begin his duties in two weeks. For the last two years, he has been spe.ceialising in the study of airports, and has secured much information from other parts of the world.

MINISTER’S STATMENT. WELLINGTON, February 12. Referring, to-day, to the transfer of Mr E. A. Gibson from the Public Works Department, Christchurch, to Wellington, to supervise work in connection with aerodromes, the Defence Minister stated that Mr Gibson’s move to Wellington was considered necessary, since the scheme for the development of aerodromes and landing grounds throughout the Dominion required the closest co-operation between the aviation branch of the Defence Department the Public Works Department, and the Unemployment Board.

FUNDS FOR KINGSFORD SMITH. WELLINGTON, February 12. The proposal to link New Zealand with Kingsford Smith’s entry in the London to Melbourne air race, at the end of the year, is being actively discussed at New Plymouth. The idea is to invite public subscriptions to an aeroplane purchase fund in the hope that. Smith’s machine may be a gift from the people of Australia and New Zealand.

J. McLeod, Government representative on the New Plymouth Air Port Board, states he Is glad to see the attention that has been focussed on the big race, by the Canterbury suggestion that, another be organised from Melbourne to Christchurch, in the hope that all, or most of the competitors reaching Melbourne, will be induced to come on to New Zealand. Mr. McLeod has serious doubts, however, if this plan could be carried through, for there is an undoubted risk of flying

in single-engined machines over the stormy Tasman. “Recognising this risk,” he says, “the suggestion is being considered in New Plymouth of raising a reasonable sum in New Zealand to assist a competitor for the London —Melbourne honours. It is understood that Sir Charles intends to compete in the event, with a trusted navigator, Captain Taylor, and while Sir Charles, is an Australian, it goes without saying that no one has done a tithe of the pioneering of New Zealand’s air sense that he has done, and his success in the venture will be as enthusiastically acclaimed in thsi country, as in his native land.”

ROTORUA, February 12. Interviewed before his departure to join the Lurline, en route to Sydney, Kingsford Smith expressed the opinion that the proposal emanating from Christchurch that a £5OOO prize be offered for an air race across the Tasman to New Zealand, following the Melbourne centenary race, was well worth consideration. Sir Charles expressed the opinion that such a race would give a big impetus to the progress of aviation in the Dominion. With the fast machines to be used in the centenary race, the crossing of the Tasman could be made in six hours, and he considered the landing facilities at Christchurch make it an ideal finishing post. A feature in the suggested race which did not appeal to him was the fact that single-engined planes would be used. As he had stated previously, he was absolutely opposed to the use of machines of this type in flights over wide stretches of ocean. Asked whether he would compete himself in a race to the Dominion, Smith said that he had not yet consideredsthe matter. ANGLO-DUTCH SERVICE LONDON, February 11. The Dutch Air Service to Hull is to be extended to Liverpool, with connections to Glasgow and Belfast. The railways are contemplating a number of cross-country feeder air services. MISHAP AT TE KINGA. The West Coast Airways Spartan aeroplane, piloted by Mr A. H.. Nancekivell, of Hokitika, was considerably damaged at Te Kinga yesterday as a result of its striking telephone wires, as it was coming down to the landing ground. The undercarriage was damaged as the plane struck the wires, and the propeller was shattered as the machine landed. None of the occupants •was injured.

The plane was visiting Te Kinga on the occasion of the Otira railwaymen’s picnic, and a sports meeting, for the purpose of giving passenger flights. 56 passengers were taken up before the mishap occurred. Pilot. Nancekivell also made four landings in Ryan’s paddock at Rotomanu. The damaged machine was railed to Hokitika today for repairs.