AERIAL NAVIGATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 3 January 1928, Page 5

AERIAL NAVIGATION.

TRANS-TASMAN FLICHT. AWAITING DEVELOPMENTS. Press Association-Electric Telegraph-Cocyrishi MELBOURNE, Saturday. Although Captain Eight and the other New Zealand airmen inspected the ’plane to-day, they made no effort to fly to Sydney. At a late hour they were standing by, apparently awaiting some development. Colonel Brinsmead, Controller of Civil Aviation, said to-day that in view of Mr Bruce’s statement, it Avas impossible for the Australian authorities to render the New Zealanders any more assistance. What thify proposed to do now Avas a matter for themselves. About tAvo months ago, Colonel Brinsmead said Mr Bruce indicated very clearly the typo of machine Avhich Avould receive the support of the Federal Government. That Avas a machine designed specifically for long distance flying over AA-ater. In reply to a question Avhat steps the Government Avould take if the aviators persisted in making the trip, Colonel Brinsmead pointed out that there Avcre certain penalties Avhichcould be imposed for a breach of the flying regulations of the CommonAvealth. ; AIRMEN DEPRESSED. . MELBOURNE, Monday. Captain Kight states that the New* Zealand airmen are extremely depressed over the attitude of the Australian Government, as they understood they had the Australian authorities’ permission to make the flight. Captain Kight added that their future plans were indefinite. He is unable to say Avhat they are to do until they ha\'e communicated Avith the Ncav Zealand Government. HOPE NOT GIVEN UP. (Received Tuesday, 11.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Lieut. Moncrieff , says that a cable lias been received from Mr G. Coates (Premier of Ncav Zealand), in connection Avith the proposed flight, to Ncav Zealand, but it is unintelligible, and consequently a further cable has been sent to Mr Coates, asking for an explanation. In the meantime a further trial flight proved .most successful. Captain Kight said that although Mr Bruce (Federal Prime Minister) had requested them to discontinue their preparations, arrangements for the flight had gone so far that it Avould be a great disappointment if the Ncav Zealand Ministry AvithdreAV its approval. ■There is still a great deal of uncertainty about future arrangements, but the airmen have not given up hope. N.Z. GOVT. NOT INVOLVED. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE, This- Day. Mr McNicol states that Mr Coates’ eable, referred to by Lieut. Moncrieff, was probably a copy of a telegram lie had received from the Prime Minister and sent cm to the aviators for their information. The Ncav Zealand Govcrnment Avas in no a vqy involved in the 'flight, beyond, at the request of the promoters, asking the Australian Goa--ernment to afford the necessary facilities to the airmen.