OTHER COMPETITORS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18539, 27 October 1934, Page 5

OTHER COMPETITORS

TROUBLE AT ALOR STAR HEWETT’S GOOD PROGRESS EN ROUTE TO DARWIN (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) 'Received Oct. 27, noon.) SINGAPORE, Oct. 27. The concluding stages of the air race liavo not been without incident for some of tho competitors, several having experienced difficulty between Calcutta and Singapore. Mr. Janies Melrose arrived here yes-

terday after experiencing very stormy weather, lie leu again at b.o'c, p.-m. ioi Batavia, which he expects to reach some time to-day.

- j . Tho Danes, Lieut. Hansen and Mr. Jensen, were less fortunate. First of ail they were field up at Alor Star owing to engine trouble. Then, when repairs had been effected, they had to make no fewer than 10 attempts before they could' i;ise, owing to the boggy ground. At first it seemed impossible .to got oft, but after dispensing with their personal baggage they got away, successfully and readied here at 7.6 p.m. Now they are experiencing magneto trouble, but they hope to proceed to-morrow, when their baggage will arrive and the magneto should be repaired.

The Stodart brothers nearly met with, disaster at Alor Star when they landed in six indies of water. Then when they were attempting to take off in the darkness their machine nearly tipped up, and in the morning the plane had to be dug out of the mud. However, they finally got away, and arrived at Batavia at 1.17 p.m., leaving later for Rambang. A report from Karachi states that Messrs. Wright and Polando claim that they were badly treated by the Persians. They were given only a sandwich, and nothing to drink. They are complaining to the American consul, demanding that Persia should refund the expenses they incurred in the race, as they were baulked of their chance of winning the handicap.

Mr Wright has abandoned the flight, He says an air lock in the petrol feed caused the forced landing at Mohammerah, and as the runway for a takeoff was too .small, Mr Polando, with the kit, started to walk to Abadan, seven miles away. The Persian police arrested both, declaring that they were only permitted to land at Bushire or •Task. If they were forced to make a landing elsewhere, they must take the consequences. The airmen complained, but an armed military sentry was posted over them, Excellent progress continues to bo made by the New Zealanders, SquadronLeader Hewett and Flying-Officer Kay„ who left Rambang at 10.45 a.in. and) arrived at Ivoepang at 3,50 p.m. It is understood that they intended to leavo before dawn for Darwin, so that they, too, should make better time than the record prior to the present series of flights. AIR RACE FEVER TWO OTHER PROPOSALS " AMERICA AND FRANCE LONDON, Oct. 20. Sir Macpherson Robertson has evidently inaugurated a series of air races which has spread throughout the world. The Sun-Herald News Service learns that Mr Rex Martin, assistant director of the United States Bureau of Air and Commerce, at present visiting Britain, will, on his return, recommend that America should hold an international race in 1935, starting at New York, thence to the Atlantic coast, to Patagonia, returning to the Pacific coast, thence via Canada, finishing at New York. The Paris Le 'Soil- emphasises that the proposed French air race is due to the disappointment that French planes and pilots did not compete in tin Australian race, ami expresses the opinion that, a race will probably be held from Paris to Saigon, Cochin. China, and back at the end of 1935. The Petit Parisien says that probably it will be to Hanoi, via Bagdad, Kara, chi, Calcutta, Bangkok, and Saigon.

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL N.Z. VICTIMS OF CRASH A TOUCHING INCIDENT (Received Oct. 27, noon) NAPLES, Oct. 26. The Consul-General, Mr. Fisher, representing tlie British Government, Colonel Hetherington, representing the Air Ministry and the aero club, and the entire British colony attended the funeral of Messrs. H. D. Gilman and J. K. Baines at the Anglican Church, Naples. The church was decorated with the Italian and British colors, and masses of flowers covered the coffins, which were carried by Italian Air Force officers who formed a guard of honor.

During the service, Miss Edith Wilson? Mr. Gilman’s fiancee, placed her engagement ring on the coffin and knelt beside it, grief stricken. After the service, Fascist militia carried the. coffins to the Anglican cemetery, where they were interred. PLANE DESTROYED DUTCHMEN’S ILL-LUCK (Received Oct. 27, noon.) ALLAHABAD, Oct. 26. The Pander.jngcr plane, when inking off after repairs, while taxi-ing to the edge of (he aerodrome at dusk, collided with a motor car carrying a beacon light and was immediately set on lire. Mr Gcysendorffer and Mr Asjos leapt out uninjured, but the plane was destroyed. PROGRESS REPORTS The position of the machines still covering the air race course is shown in the following reports of arrivals at various points:— —Karachi— Messrs. Wright and Polando, 2.15 p.m. - Calcutta — Mr and Mrs .T. A. Mollison. —Singapore— Mr James Melrose, 2.35 p.m. Lieut, Hansen, 7.5 pja.

—Batavia— Squadron-Leader Stodart, 7.17 p.m. —Koepang— Squadron-Leader Hewctt, 3.30 p.m.