AVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1702, 16 December 1919, Page 5

AVIATION.

BRITISH AIR FORCES.

By EJeotrio Telegraph.—Copyright. Australian-New Zealand Cable LONDON, Dec. 13. General Trenchard, Chief of the Air Staff, in a memorandum, outlines the future Royal Air Force and Mr Winston Churchill states that Cabinet has approved of tho proposals in principle. The expenditure on tho force in the next few years is provisionally fixed at fifteen million yearly The scheme divides the force into three sections, namely, the independent force. and tho naval and military forces. Eventually it will consist of twenty-eight squadrons —eight in India, three in Mesopotamia, seven in Egypt, four on home service, and seven with the fleet. An air force reserve will bo created on a territorial basis.. The air ship fleet for the present year will not exceed one rigid and two non-rigid craft

FLYING TO AUSTRALIA

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association LONDON, Dec. 13.

It is reported that Wilkins, in tho "Kangaroo,'' had a bad landing at Suda Bay, but no one was injured. A fresh start may be delayed. LONDON, Dec. 12. Captain Mathews was not able to secure petrol at Belgrado, and is pushing on to Bucharest. He does not intend to return to England, being determined to reach Australia. DARWIN, Deo. 14. Owing to engine trouble Captain Ross Smith was forced to land in the bush, whero he spent the night, shortly after leaving Darwin. He proceeded South next day. SYDNEY, Dec. 15. Captain Ross Smith now intends to visit Sydney en route to Melbourne! The Royal Historical Society suggests the ereotion of* a column marking the landing-place at Darwin.

THE DISASTER TO HOWELL

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association Received December 16, 8.50 a.rn. LONDON, Dec. 15. The Air Ministry has had no news of Captain Howell since he left Taranto for Athens on December 9. [A cable from London through Corfu published yesterday reported that Howell's machine had been lost.]

THE PACIFIC FLIGHT.

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association Received December 16, 8.50 a.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 15.

A message from Los Angeles (California) states that Sir Arthur Brown has entered for the Vickers-Vimy proposed Pacific flight to Australia for the prize of £IO,OOO offered by Mr J. Inco, the picture magnate.

THE AERIAL DERBY.

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association Received December 16, 9.30 a.m. TOKIO, Dec 14.

The American commission for the aerial derby around the world is consulting the Japanese authorities concerning the flight preparations. It is announced • that each country wilL be. permitted ■to make rulings governing the flight across' its territories..