FLYING TO AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17307, 3 November 1919, Page 7

FLYING TO AUSTRALIA.

TWO MORE COMPETITORS. LIEUT. DOUGLASS READY. RELIANCE ON WIRELESS AID. By Telegraph Press Association— (R«ceiT*d 10.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Not. 1. Lieut. Roger Douglass, who, with Lieut. Thomas Ross as navigator, is to attempt to fly to Australia in an Alliance machine, intends to start at 8 o'clock this morning. Lieutenant Douglass, who is 25 years of age, hails from Charters Towers. He enlisted at the outbreak of war, and served at Thursday IsUna in connection with the expedition to German New Guinea. He sailed from Egypt with the first convoy, and served in France as a machine gunner. He joined the Flying Corps early in 1918, and became an instructor. He holds the [M.C. and the D.C.M. Lieutenant Thomas Ross, navigator, is 23 years of age, and was formerly an operator on the Pacific Cable staff. When he enlisted in 1918 he came to Europe as an aviation wireless operator. Douglass considers directional wireless alone affords a chance of successful flight to Australia. His proposed route is via Italy, Greece, Egypt, Bagdad, Karachi, Calcutta, and Rangoon.

Lieutenant Howell's Martinsyde Al is nearly completed, and a start for Australia is expected in the near future. The tank capacity has been increased to enable the machine to remain in the air over 10 hours. CAPTAIN MATTHEWS' HALT. PLANS NOT YET SETTLED. Australian, and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rood. 10 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 30. The Air Ministry learns from Cologne that Captain G. C. Matthews has not yet resumed his flight to Australia. His next stopping place has not been settled.