ANOTHER ’PLANE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16866, 1 February 1929, Page 12

ANOTHER ’PLANE

FOR BYRD EXPEDITION MAY TOUR NEW ZEALAND (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Mr. A. J. liropliy, second in command ui the Uyrd expedition, announces (hut the aerial strength of the expedition is to be increased by the bringing from America of a great Fairchild pontoon aeroplane, the duplicate of that now being down m the Antarctic by Commander Byrd. The suitability of Auckland for flying such a water base machine bad prompted the decision to have it brought liero for the first of an extensive series of experimental flights, which later would probably include a complete aerial tour of New Zealand. The City of New York, after returning to Dunedin for the winter, would probably require docking for repairs, after which, she would visit Lyttelton, Wellington, Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, Tahiti, Melbourne and Sydney. The expedition is proving even more costly than was anticipated; Already the expenditure was £30,000 over the estimate, but more funds are being constantly raised in America. The 15 dogs, which arrived by the Niagara, cost £SOO landed hero. Mr. Brophy is arranging for the manufacture in Auckland of more smoke bombs to be used in snow' flying for gauging the distance from the ground and as an indication of direction.