AEROPLANE AT THE HUTT PARK.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 901, 22 August 1910, Page 7

AEROPLANE AT THE HUTT PARK.

- PREPARATIONS FOB A,' FLIGHT. ''■ Residents of- the Hutt Valley who' '•'happened to he in, the neighbourhood yesterday' were-.'somewhat startled to an aeroplane, \snugly moored . in the Hutt' Park',, and: to'.'see the owner, Mr. Schaef, an<l a. small army of enthusiastic workmen putting , . the -finishing touches-to a fine-looking machine, preparatory to a trial flight. The machine—which appears to be • a.well-built one—is about 30 feet 'in length from propeller to. steering-gear, '■ ancLtke planes are aboutl2 feet by.2o feet. 'The fittings are. of. aluminium, and the engine is stated to a 28 horse-power one. :Branded in plain lot-, ters arethe words ' J'Schaef's New Zealand Vogel." ■". ' . The;engine;was tried several times, and, although; a little jerky at times, worked ill a fairly satisfactory manner. No attempt at, flight was made, ap- '■: parently on account of the high.north- . erly wind which blew throughout the -'.'day. " '.-.■- ' :"-' , The inventor was not communicative as'to his intentions when approached,' and inquirers- were given short shrift. Crowds of people were::,about '"•<'■ the park all day, apparently much to ■ ■-'■ the annoyance of- the party working at ■the aeroplane. - The. inevitable photographer appeared with his camera, and ' selected, a ; good position to take a . photograph of the. aeroplane. This was too much, for the party, at work on it, and they made a united'charge on the . • intruder, ..upsetting . his camera, ■ and, after heated words on both ; sides, persuading him to other sights to .snapshot. 1 Towards nightfall the . aerov -plane was covered up and snugly- anchored for the night. ;'...' .'