AVIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20582, 4 December 1928, Page 10

AVIATION.

AUSTRALIAN OFFICER INJURED. ‘ PLANE STRIKES A TREE. (1 /tilted tress Asßo6'*Uon,|. . (By Electric Telegraph— -Copyrleht.) SYDNEY, December 3. (Received Dec. 3) at 11 p.m.) An aeroplane containing Flying-Officer D.Uarroll and Mechanic Chadwick,.when flying from Sydney to Melbourne to-day, struck a tree top hear Mittagong. Chadwick and ia portion, of the aeroplane’s tail were left in the tree, from which Chadwick fell. 40 feet. He sustained injuries to his back and a deep cut on his cheek. The machine continued flying, but struck another tree and remained among the boughs 60 feet from the ground. Carroll was tossed out, but his fept became wedged in the wreckage and he hung head downwards until he unwound his neck scarf, which-ho wound round the tree, and he managed to right himself. He then slid to the ground practically unhurt, and walked two miles for assistance for his companion, who was in a bad way.

Blindfold flying" is now part of the training at one French aerodrome: The machine ha*; a double control, and j the pilot" is encased in a large hood, from under. which he directs- the plane by instruments; the instructor having the other controls ready for use in case of accident.

; It is understood there is every chance of the white pine timber trade beinjg opened between Okuru, in South Westland, and Greymouth in the coming year. A considerable holding of freehold land in the far south of Westland carrying a largo quantity of white pine has been acquired by a Canterbury ■ milling firm carrying on business at Greymouth and the Otira dine. The firm is negotiating for the building of a special boat for the trade, and a boat after the design of the Zingara is contemplated, but with greater’ power, larger carrying capacity/ and smaller draught. The boat is intended to be motor driven, and it is proposed to take sawn timber direct to Greymouth, where it will be loaded into steamers trading to Australia. This undertaking is now so far advanced that ,the building of .the vessel by an Auckland firm decided upon practically, and steps to. initiate the milling project in the vicinity of Okuru are about to be undertaken.