AVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1703, 17 December 1919, Page 5

AVIATION.

f .DOS'S SMITH MISSING. 1

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Australian-New Zealand .Cable Association • . .SYDNEY, Dec. 16. Captain Ross Smitli passed Newcastle Waters on Sunday. No word has been received of him since, ana search cars are out.

Received December 17, 10.40 a.m. , DARWIN, Dec. 17. It is now surmised that Ross-Smith is at Anthony’s Lagoon overhauling his engine.

THE MARTINSYDE AIRMEN.

THEIR FATE SURROUNDED WITI

MYSTERY

Australian New, Zealand Cable Association. Received December 17, 9.25 u.m. LONDON, Dec. 15. ' Mystery surrounds the fate of Captain. Howell 'and his mechanic (H. Frazer). There are no details beyond Lloyd’s brief telegram. Martinsyde, Limited, have instituted further enquiries at all available sources, including the Ministry’s representatives at the British Ministry in Athens. The press agencies point out that although the telegram definitely states there is no hope for the survivors, the onfy evidence mentioned' is the finding of the log book. Martinsydo's aro anxiously awaiting nows of the discovery of wreckage. The machine was capable of floating at least two hours, and although the worst is feared there is still hope that the airmen may bo picked up. Captain Howell, in a letter written at Taranto, expressed himself in the highest spirit, and reported the engine was running splendidly. Captain Howell was married three years ago. Ifis wife will probably not bo informed until she arrives in Australia. It is feared the news will have a serious effect upon her owing to her state of health. Frazer was not married.

THE AIR ESTIMATES. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association Received December 17, 10.25 a.m. LONDON, Doc. 15. The House of Commons Las passed the Air Force votes. Mr Winston Churchill (Minister for War) said that the estimates for the current year were £54,000,000.) It was calculated'that it would take live years to put the Air Force on a permanent basis. There would bo a joint Imperial War Staff for three years and thus jingle control. It was the' Air Force’s firstj'duty to garrison the Empire. _ . . The previous disposition considered _ it was not the Government’s duty to give grants to promote civil aviation. The Capo to Cairo air route to bo completed only needed an incentive to induce aviators to fly that route. Ho suggested that Rand millionaires should give a prize similar to the Australian Government’s in the flight from England to Australia..-