IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16617, 15 December 1919, Page 4

IN THE AIR.

CAPTAIN ROSS SMITH. ON COMMERCIAL All! SERVICE. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. DARWIN, Dec. 34. Captain Ross Smith, interviewed regarding the possibility of commercial aerial service between England and Australia, suggested a division of the route into sections as iollows; London to Cairo, thence to Calcutta, to Singapore, Darwin, and Melbourne. The first stage, with the co-oper-ation of Britain, Franco, and Italy, could easily be arranged. The next stage, Cairo to Calcutta, is already being considered by the Indian Government, which is contemplating the establishment of an aerial mail in the near future, and is arranging to erect aerodromes from Calcutta onwards. Owing to jungle and swamp between Singapore and Java, the Dutch Government constructed an aerodrome at Banka Island. There are also some good aerodromes in Western Java, but the one a tSnurnbaya is unsuitable. Captain Ross Smith favours seaplanes in preference to aeroplanes for a portion of the route, owing to the necessity of following the coast, and where suitable seaplane harbours exist, but where there is no good lauding place for aeroplanes. Captain Ross Smith thinks that the danger of an aerial from Asia is verv real. There would he no' need for ’planes to travel long distances. They could simply he released from a parent aerodrome ship, to which they would return after their deadly work was accomplished.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE OVERLAND FLIGHT. DARWIN. Dorn 14. Captain Ross Smith has left for Newcastle Waters (Queensland). Ho is expected to roach Cloneurry on Sun-day.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CAPTAIN MATTHBJVS’ JOURNEY. LONDON, Dec. 12. Captain Matthews was not able to secure petrol at Belgrade, and is pushing on to Bucharest. He does not intend to return to England, being_ determined to roach Australia.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. POULET’S DIFFICULTIES. PARIS, Dec.. 12. The newspaper Auto says Poiilot is returning to Paris by air in order to prepare for the tour round tho world competition organised by the American Aero Club.—Aus.-N.Z.- Cable Assn, Much anxiety is felt regarding Poulet. The last news of him was a cablegram'to Caudron, dated December 3, from Bangkok, mentioning thu bad condition of his petrol tank. It is believed that Poulet, after leaving Bangkok, was obliged to land at a spot remote from telegraph communication. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.