LAND SPEED

Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 January 1932, Page 5

LAND SPEED

ATTEMPT POSTPONED

WAITING FOR HIGH TIDES.

NINETY MILE BEACH, Tuesday. After waiting patiently for a little .over a week “Wizard” Smith decided late this afternoon to postpone his attempt on the world’s land speed records. The decision was reached after a conference with the Auckland Automobile Racing Club. In all probability, attempts on the 10 and 5-mile records will be made between January 22 and January 26. when there will be a full moon and high tides. Mr Smith is pinning his faith on a king tide on February 4 for tackling the flying mile. Ever since the party established headquarters at Waipapakauri, conditions have been unstable. The beach has never cleared up properly. Near the low water level it has been good, but that has not suited Mr Smith, who requires dry sand for racing. Higher up, where it dries more quickly when the tide recedes, the sand has been corrugated. In places there are deep ■washouts. The spring tides have now gone. There is little hope of improvement until the full moon. With definite, the host of officials could not’ stay on and all, except a man in charge of the timing apparatus are leaving for home tomorrow. However, they will be available within three hours if Mr Smith makes a hurried decision, which is unlikely, as the racer is contemplating a fishing trip to the Bay of Islands. Two mechanics will spend a lonely time in charge of the Enterprise in its Hukatere garage. The Bost Office elected by the Department near the garage will be closed to-morrow night, when it will be vacated. A man or two will remain to act as caretakers. —(P.A.)

BEACH AGAINST SMITH. A GENERAL EXODUS. N.M.8., This Day. The beach has been dead against “Wizard” Smith since he went into headquarters at Waipapakauri. He is unwilling to make any attempt with the beach unfavourable and as the offiicials could not stay indefinitely the decision was reached for a general exodus from Waipapakauri to-day. The Auckland Automobile Racing Club officials and timing experts left for Auckland, while the majority of Smith’s party is going away for a short time. It is possible that “Wizard” Smith may go big game fishing. The two mechanics, who have been sleeping in the garage, are staying on. Although “Wizard” Smith was quite satisfied with the car after the trial on Monday he may give her another spin and keep her oiled if he finds the Jleach favourable between now and January 22. He can recall the officials at short notice. The post office erected near the garage is closing down this evening when it will bo vacated, except for a man or two to act as caretakers.

HARKNESS SILENT. STATEMENT LATER, * SYDNEY, Tuesday. Mr Don Harkness, a colleauge of ‘ ‘ Wizard ’ ’ Smith, arrived in Sydney to-day. He declined to clear up the mystery of his return from New Zealand. He said ho came back to do certain work and would return to the Dominion. shortly. He would make a statement to the Press in due course. INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Tuesday. Considerable interest is being displayed in Australia in “Wizard Smith’s attempt on the. land speed record in New Zealand. The preliminary arrangements, which were cabled from the Dominion, are featured in all the chief daily newspapers.