TO FLY COOK STRAIT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1403, 1 April 1912, Page 5

TO FLY COOK STRAIT.

AMERICAN AVIATORS ARRIVE. Very shortly tho people of Wellington may expect to we a huge block object Hosting graei-fully above their heads. It will be the first really practicable aeroI plane,to rise from New Zealand soil. This particular machine has flown before iu tho United States, so it is reasonable to suppose that it can' be made to fly asain. ■ The aeroplane arrived from Sau Francisco by the Aorangi on Saturday and was lauded nt tho wharf bused, up, and in parts—during the afternoon, Tho machine—oiio of the Bleriot typo—is owned by Messrs. .). I). Walsh and Alfred M. Vershurcn, who arrived by the same steamer. Knch of thorn has his certificates entitling him to claim the title of "professional avinlors." Ono of the aviators, Mr. Walsh, is- a New Zealander and ho has been in tho States for the last 10 years. ; During that time he lu\s been inventing all kinds of things, and of recent years has been in New York designing and superintending the manufacture of aeroplanes. Tho novelty of flying Ims almost worn off in (he Stales according to Mr. Walsh, but there is good money to bo made, at the business... It is his opinion that when thn public of New Zealand are educated ill) to the possibilities of flying they will take up the sport, or whatever one likea t;i call it, with enthusiasm. The machine, which is to make the initial flight in. Now Zealand, gets its power from a 50 horse power HobcrU fourcylinder molar, weighing nbnnt 17(111). Tho wopellor is about 8 feet in dimeter. Tho . noroplano will bo on exhibition as noon, as tho necessary arrangements con bo It is intended that the first big flight simll bs across Cook Strait to (ho South. Island and it is probable that Iho "voyage" will In> commenced from' either the Trjnthnni Racrcoursn or the flat ground at Miramar. It. is probabln (lint, a landing will bn effected near Blenheim. Mr. Vershurcn, who lia.i been flying through American air for some, (imp past will manipulate the intricate workings of tho "flier." There is no doubt that the loiter term is a correct one, for it is sanl that the acvopto-iie i? capable of doing (Kl miios an hour. That is to say, she could travel from Wellington to Blenheim in about an hour.

When the Customs tariff was made up aeroplanes wero not included in tho Bill, and at. the present time there is .•> little difficulty about Customs duty, but it is expected that this will be overcome very shortly.