All Tasman Mails by Air

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 248, 21 October 1935, Page 7

All Tasman Mails by Air

GREAT PLANS FOR 1957 Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. It is fairly definite now that by 1937 all the letter mail between New Zealand and Australia and the countries served by Imperial Airways will be carried entirely by flying boats capable of crossing tho Tasman in under 12 hours. The whole scheme has been thoroughly surveyed and details of the type of equipment and other particulars are now in the hands of the Government. It is believed the scheme entails crossing the Tasman by night by powerful flying boat:; of the four-engined type recently, described in a cable message as having beeu ordered from Short Brothers for tho Empire service by Imperial Airways. They will have a cruising speed of over 140 to 150 m.p.h. and bo able to cross the Tasman in 114 hours.

“ Smithy ” Again Delayed CONTRACTS SEVERE CHILL Received Sunday, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 20. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his co-pilot slept the night at Croydon in their aeroplane in readiness to start early to-day, but "Smithy” became ill during the night. Despite attention it soon became clear that he was unfit to fly. His complaint has not yet been diagnosed but the start must be delayed for some days.

Tho doctor states that "Smithy” is suffering from a severe chill. Ho has been ordered to remain in bed at the Aerodromo hotel. It is hoped if his temperature returns to normal he will be able to start his flight about Wednesday,