Aviation.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 26, 17 December 1919, Page 5

Aviation.

SEARCH FOR ROSS-SMITH.

Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, December 16

Captain lloss-Smith passed Newcastle Waters on Sunday. No word has l>eeu received of him since, and search parties i.u motor cars are out.

WHEREABOUTS OF ROSS» SMITH.

(Received 10.40 a.m.) Darwin, December 17

It is now surmised that RossSraith is at Anthony’s Lagoon overhauling his engine.

MARTINSYDE MACHINE mystery:

SPECULATIONS UPON HOWELL AND FRAZER’S FATE.

iiftti and N.Z, C»'> Association. Pres ti Aaf*"ci»t,ioli —Convnght. Austra tßecived 9 .25 a.m .) ' London, December 15.

Mystery surrounds the fate of Howell and, Frazer. There are no details beyond' Lloyds’ brief telegram. Martinsyde Limited have' instituted further inquiries at all available sources including the Air Ministry’s representatives at the British Ministry in Athens,

Press agencies point out that although the telegram definitely states there is no hope for the survivors, the only evidence mentioned i s the finding of the log-book. Martinsydes are anxiously awaiting news of the discovery of wreckage. The machine was capable of floating at least two hotors. . Although the! worst is feared, there i s still hope that the airmen may be picked utf> P 0 W o'' i'' ' •

. . Howell, i n a letter written at Tarantioji expresled t himself viys JSeing; in* thfe highest kpikts, and reported' tlfaV the engine was rimning splendidly, Howell has been ' married three yAaSrs;' His wife will probably not be informed until she arrives in Australia. It is feared the news will have a serious effect owing to the state of her health. Frazer is unmarried.

ESTIMATES IN THE COMMONS. ■ ■A \ ■f g %^ « ;g. ’'. jr iyf '-i I V' pVi i

FUTURE EMPIRE MOVES.

Press Aasoci* tion-—Copyright, Austra* lian and N.Z, Cable Association.

(Received 10.25 a.m!)

The House of Commons passed the Air Force votes. Mr (Churchill said the Air estimates for the current year amounted to fifty-four millioiis. 'it was calculated that,it. would take, five years to put, the Air Force on a permanent basis. There will be a joint Imperial War Staff. It was the Air Force’s first duty to garrison the Empire. He considered -it was not the Government’s duty to give grants to promote civil aviation. The Cape-to-Cairo air route had been completed and only needed an incentive to induce aviators to fly that route. He suggested that millionaires on the Rand should give a prize similar to that given by the Australian Governments.

AUCKLAND'OARCAVIbLE .

SERVICE.

Per Press Association,

Auckland, December 16,

For the first time in the history of the Dominion, mflil matter was carried by seaplane to-day, when a trial trip was made frani Auckland to Dargaville and to Auckland. Tim trip was accomplished without a hitch and mails were carried! both ways. The trip to Dargaville occupied; one hour and thirty-five minutes, and the return journey one hour and twentythree minutes.