WATCHING THE BEACH.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 February 1932, Page 4

WATCHING THE BEACH.

CONDITIONS UNSUITABLE FOR TRIAL.

ATTEMPT ON RECORD NOT LIKELV BEFORE WEDNESDAY.

NEW RADIATOR SUCCESSFUL AND COCKPIT SEALED.

Tel^ a Ph--Press Association.) NINETY-MILE BEACH, Eeb. 22. ~^ Vltll Bea i cl i in its present coutLtion, it is unlikely that “Wizard” Smith wid attempt to break the landspeea record -beiore Wednesday The recent rams and easterly wind' have made the beach soft, and> aecordill& . to Smith, the Fred H. Stewart Entcm prise” would sink out of sight” i* he took her out. She is ready hoC ever. The new radiator is a sucues* ~nd the cockpit has been sealed un so’ that no sand or water can get through. Tue wind has veered to the southwest and the tides are getting bigger it the wind stays in the present garter it should assist materially in iug out” the few washouts and cor°W gations which have reappeared durh-o-jthe lasjt day or two. 0

A “king” tide is due on Thursday but at low water late in the afternoon there will be sufficient daylight for Smith to make a run should the beach be right.

Meanwhile other officials under the Post and Telegraph officials found a long job as soon as they arrived onFriday, in mending the cable used in the timing apparatus. It had been cut, evidently with a' spade or sharp instrument, but the postal engineers cannot say that it was cut deliberately. It was a long task locating the fault, but this was remedied and the cable put right. Other members of the party are busy erecting three short-wave radio telephones for intercommunication along the beach. One'is stationed with the timing apparatus and the other two at the dumps, which are located at each end of the track. They will save time and worry, by letting the officials know that Smith is leaving on each of his runs. +