GREAT AIR RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 11

GREAT AIR RACE

MELBOURNE CENTENARY COMPETITOR WITHDRAWS MACHINE NOT AVAILABLE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, August 9 Lieutenant Marshall Lindholm, a famous Swedish airmail, who had entered a Northrop Delta aeroplane for the Melbourne Centenary race, will not take part in the contest. A sister machine crashed in July and the Aero Transport Company cannot allow Lieutenant Lindholm to take a machine from the service.

NEW ZEALANDER'S LUCK ANONYMOUS DONOR'S HELP RESULT OF CHANCE MEETING [from our own correspondent] LONDON. July 10 FHying-Officer H. D. Gilman, of the Royal Air Force, an Aucklander, will be a competitor in the coming Centenary arr race to Australia. For #i considerable period the possibility of Mr. Gilman starting in the race was in grave doubt, although he had paid the entrance-fee of 50 guineas many moitfchs back. The doubt was not dispelled until 11.56 a.m. on June 1, four minutes before the entry lists closed. By great good luck, Mr. Gilman, by mere chance, met a business man home for* a holiday from India. Appreciating the immense service that aviation has already done for the country of his adoption, he offered to put up the money for the machine.

What makes the interest all the greater is that the pernor, who has enjoined strict anonymfaby, is an Englishman who lived previously in New Zealand. In India he now owns a plantation. Mr. Gilman is, of course, delighted that the opportunity to compete in the great event became possible at the last moment.

There is no time to have a completely new machine built, so Mr. Gilman will pilot an H.S. Fairey, with a cruising speed of about 190 to 200 miles an hour, and a radius of about 1750 miles. It will be completed by August 20, tests will be carried out during September, and this will allow for any slight modifications that may bo necessary. There will be 28 machines in the speed race—which Mr. Gilman has entered —and the same number in the handicap race for standard-type machines. Tlio New Zealander has now to choose a mechanic to accompany him.

Mr. Gilman has a record of 2-100 flying miles, 1500 of which have been done with the Royal Air Force. He has made many test flights with new machines, and is well acquainted with all the British types.

SPORTS COMPETITIONS MANY NOTED ATHLETES Arrangements for athletes from various parts of the East to visit Melbourne for the sports fixtures in conjunction with the centenary celebrations were completed by Mr. Norman Brookes, the former Australian international tennis player, who passed through Auckland yesterday by the Monterey. He is on his way back to Melbourne after an extended Pacific cruise.

Mr. Brookes said noted athletes from all parts of the world would take part in special centenary events in Melbourne. 'Three Japanese swimming champions would visit Australia, in addition to a polo team of Spanish residents from Manila. The special sports committee of the centenary council was making every effort to ensure world-wide competition in the various events.

Mr. Brooket. is chairman of the sports sub-committee. Another member of the centenary council, Mr. Sidney Myer, also passed through Auckland by the Monterey yesterday on his return from a trip to Honolulu. EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS VATICAN CITY. August 9 The Pope has nominated Cardinal Macrory as Papal Legate to the Eucharistic Congress in Melbourne.