WORLD FLIER MISSING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17345, 18 July 1924, Page 1

WORLD FLIER MISSING.

NO NEWS OF SQUADRON-LEADER MACLAREN. JAPANESE DESTROYERS GO IN SEARCH. J?v Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.— Aus and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received July LS. 11.30 a.m.) TOKIO, July 17. Xo word bad been received of Squadron-Leader Stuart MacLafen at five o'clock this afternoon. The papers are expressing the fear that he is lost. Last night the following’ message was received: “A report received from Paramushiro stated that Squadron-Leader MaeLaren is six hours overdue. It is believed that he landed at an intermediate point which previously was prepared. Two Japanese destroyers at present are searching.” MacLaren was on his to Paramushiro. from Toshimaye, another of the Kurile Islands. Britain’s attempt at t he circumnavigation of the world, which was begun on March 27, after that of the Americans, and so far has not been successful as the American attempt, through the fact that only one 'plane is taking part offsets the slowness of progress somewhat. When it is realised that had America only one machine in the race—Major Martin's, or the one that crashed on the first lap, from Santa Monica to Seattle, for Instance—it can be seen that probably the U.S. flight would not have been so far forward as it now is. Squadi'on-Leader Stuart MacLaren has in many ways been unfortunate in encountering so many mishaps, but his machine has not yet been wrecked, though twice temporarily incapacitated, once at Lake St. Matthew, Corfu, when he had to wait fifteen days for a new engine to be sent him, and again in Central India, when his machine had its undercarriage damaged in landing. These delays caused him to strike the monsoon season in India, but he has made better progress since he left India than on any other part of the journey. He is now on his way North, and is fast approaching the worst part of his journey—the crossing of the North Pacihc. In fact, he now is on the first lap of the journey. If MacLaren is lost, he is in a better position than was Major P. Martin, the American aviator, who was lost in the ice region, in the midst of a blizzard.

U.s. FLIERS PREPARE TO CROSS ATLANTIC

p., Telegraph.—Press Association.-'— Copyright.—Reuter s Telegrams. (Received July 18, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 17. The American World-fliers flew from London to Brough, Yorkshire, where their aeroplanes will he filled with new engines and flouts for the Atlantic crossing. Vn experienced u'viutor said to-day lliat lire two world fliers n,', worst stages of tlieir journey. MacLaren was about lo cross the i’aciiic and the Americans were preparing to cross he AI In die The Atlantic crossing was a difficult matter, os he prospect of good weather all the way was not at all bright.