FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 March 1938, Page 5

FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA.

CLOUSTON NEARS SINGAPORE. DELAYED AT BASRA (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) Received Thursday, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, March 17. Flying-Officer A. E. (Houston was delayed an hour and a-half at Basra owing to engine trouble. A Karachi message states that Clous ton passed over at 11.4 a.m. The Times’ Basra correspondent states that Flying-Officer Clouston’s delay was due to his being unable to start one engine. When it was eventually restarted more refuelling was necessary. The pilot, owing to the weight of a ton of petrol, had the greatest difficulty in taking off. He taxied the full length of the runway, 950 yards, rose when a crash appeared imminent, and cleared the airport boundary by only three feet, going in the direction of Allahabad and omitting Karachi to retrieve the time lost at Basra. He had a terrible flight from Cairo, battling against gales and hailstorms. Clouston and Rickets landed at Allahabad at 3.20 (G.M.T.) and left for Singapore at 4.56 a.m. Clouston travelled at 218 miles an hour between Karachi and Allahabad. He expects to reach Singapore in 11 hours. It is believed Clouston flew over Dumdum (Bengal) on his way to Singapore. LANDS AT PENANG; LATER LEAVES FOR SINGAPORE. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) PENANG, March 17. Fearing a petrol shortage FlyingOfficer Clouston landed at Penang at 3.5 p.m. (G.M.T.). He experienced bad weather in the Bay of: Bengal and rested for a couple of hours before taking off again for Singapore at 5.45 p.m. ARRIVAL AT SINGAPORE. (Received This ,Day, 9.25 a.m.) SINGAPORE, March 17. Clouston landed at Singapore at 7.54 p.m. (G.M.T.). j LEAVES FOE DARWIN. (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) SINGAPORE, March 17. Clouston left for Darwin at 8.49 p.m. (G.M.T.). BROADBENT OVERDUE LAST REPORTED AT RAMBANG. Received Thursday, 11.20 p.m, BATAVIA, March 17. Broadbent passed Rambang at 9.15 p.m, (local time). The chief of the Civil Aviation Office called on all stations east of Rambang to report about'Broadbent. Broadbent. failed to arrive. Information has been received that he has not been reported at Koepang where he is many hours overdue.,