FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20709, 6 May 1929, Page 7

FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND

MR MACE'S INTENTIONS. MOST ANXIOUS TO RESUME. (Dotted Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 4. (Received May 5, at 7 p.m.) Mr Frank Mase, the New Zealand aviator, who crashed in France on April 27, apart from discolouration of one eye, is no worse for his mishap. He has arrived in London, and in explaining the crash he said that the machine was going beautifully dead on her course. The petrol in one tank was exhausted over Roanne and he changed over to the second tank, but evidently the pipe was blocked, and the petrol did not flow. He landed successfully on a small farm, where he was hospitably entertained. He filled and tested both tanks, then took off and reached 40 feet or 50 feet, when the petrol suddenly stopped. The machine hit a low tree and somersaulted. Mr Mase is grateful to the French Air Force, which sent a truck with a sergeant and four men 80 miles, to assist him to dismantle and pack the machine. They were most interested in the flight to New Zealand and hoped that it would be possible for him to continue. Mr Mase is most anxious to resume the flight, and he is confident that with reasonable luck he could complete it successfully. The machine could be rebuilt for a maximum cost of £SOO. Unfortunately his own capital is exhausted, and he says he will be unable to continue unless some Australian or New Zealand sportsman interested in aviation will help, , . Mr Mase called on Sir James Parr, who expressed the hope that it would be possible for him to complete the first England to New Zealand flight.—United Service.