FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 284, 4 November 1925, Page 2

FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND.

INTREPID PILOT

KINGSFORD SMITH’S PROPOSAL

MELBOURNE. Oct. 23. Captain Kingston! Smith's proposal to fly from Australia to New Zealand is still awaiting Ministerial sanction. The fact that the Minister for Defence. Sir Neville Howse, is busily engaged electioneering may have something to do with the delay. Captain Kingsford Smith, one of Australia’s most successful and intrepid pilots, wrote to the Defence Minister more than a month ago, outlining his proposal to fly the 1300 miles between Australia and New Zealand, a feat that has never yet been attempted. The aviator intimated that, as far. as the monetary end of the undertaking was concerned, ho had been assured of plentiful support. Sir Neville Howse went into the matter with officers of his department, and on October 3 wrote to the aviator. The nature of the Minister's reply has not been disclosed, but it drew from Captain Kingsford Smith a further letter, which has not yet come under the notice of Sir Neville Howse.

This morning Senator Crawford, the Assistant Defence Minister, and Mr Trumblc, Secretary of the Defence Department, spent some hoars going through the correspondence which, together with reports of a confidential nature that had been supplied by the aviation authorities, already amounts to a huge file. It will be necessary for Captain Kingsford Smith to secure a dying boat which has passed certain tests required by the Civil Aviation Department. It is understood that the machine which the aviator has in mind is at present at Sydney, and is privately owned. It is fitted with two Rolls Royco engines, Kingsford Smith is believed to have informed the Defence Department that the cost of reconditioning the machine has already been guaranteed to him.