NO TIME FOR TESTS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 October 1934, Page 5

NO TIME FOR TESTS

Refusal of Certificate to Colonel Fitzmaurice

OTHER SIDE OF STORY TWO OFFERS REFUSED (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright). LONDON, Oct. 2G. The Irish Hospitals Trust has issued a statement that Colonel J. C. Fitzmaurice explained, to the committee only two hours before his departure to England that he had not time for the full load test of his air race plane, the Irish Sweep, which he was informed the American Government would complete in England. He offered to perform the test at Mil•denhall, but the committee and the Air Ministry officials regarded it as unnecessary. Nevertheless while the official was informing Colonel Fitzmaurice that everything was in order except his pilot’s license, lifebelts and Verey lights ,the committee was cabling to Washington regarding airworthiness and did not tell Colonel Fitzmaurice.

The committee offered to let Colonel Fitzmaurice fly at the gross weight of 83501 b., subject to disqualification if he won in the event of the American certificate being unsatisfactory. This offer Colonel Fitzmaurice accepted, whereupon the committee withdrew the offer and informed him that he could only fly at 54581 b. It also refused his offer to fly as a sporting event.

The Hospitals Trust adds that the American cable substantiated Colonel Fitzmaurice’s statements. Thus every effort by the pilot and his sponsors to keep the matter a sporting event was turned down by the committee and stewards.