Untitled

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 199, 29 August 1901, Page 2

18 THE DIRIGIBLE AIRSHIP A FACT ?

The fact that the British Government have ordered an airship, coupled with the performances of 51. Santos-Dumont iu his dirigible airship at Paris, indicate that in the first year of the new century aerial navigation is an accomplished fact.

M. A me, an eminent scientist and a very big. authony on aeronautics, ptonounees the Samos-Dumont airship •• an unqualified success." The crux of the whole problem ever since Montgolfier demonstrated to Louis XYI. and his courtiers in 17Ho that a balloon could be made to ascend to the upper air, carrying people with it, and to dos ■ mil again to the earth with safety, 1, .. been to in* , vent a balloon, acropv.te, flyingmachine, or what up*, that could be steered one w . or another while up, as a ship is steered at sea, and be brought down ex ily when and where the man in control m it willed. This is exactly what the®Sautos-l)umont airship is reported to have done on its trial. Six times in succession, guided by its builder, it made the circuit of the Longehamps racecourse, a distance of two and a quarter miles. M. Aline says : "It answered its rudder with most perfect, obedient docility." and was brought to a stop repeatedly at the exact spot designated beforehand. Later it circled the Eiffel Tower, returned, and again stopped at the precise place named by the judges. In a later trial trip the Eiffel Tower was again circled, but the return journey was interrupted because the motive power of the ship gave out. Obviously this a mere matter of carrying more petroleum, not a vital' defect. Fuil confirmation of this wonderful achievement will be looked for most eargerly. An airship that can be controlled and steered means the greatest revolution in travelling facilities since the [ steam railroad superseded the stage-coach.

The monthly meeting of the Harbor Board will be held this afternoon.

i A hockey match takes place at Victoria | Domain this afternoon between ladies and j gentlemen. | Captain Edwin telegraphed yesterday : ! —“ North-east to north and west gale after 16 hours from now; glass fall; better tides; indications rain.” The advertisement relating to the Spring mooting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club, to be held on October24th and ‘doth, is crowded out of this issue. The full programme will appear to-morrow.

About forty members of the late Natives’ Association have decided to form a club, to be known as the Cosmopolitan. A meeting is to be held at an early date to appoint officers and draw up a code of rules.

“ Wager ” writes “ What price did Advance start at in the two races which he won at the A.J.C. Mooting, Sydney According to cables, in the Autumn Stakes Advance started at 6 to 4 against, and in the All-Aged Stakes the New Zealander started at 5 to 2 on.

At the Bankruptcy Court yesterday morning a petition by P. M. McGurk and others to have Patrick Mooney adjudged a bankrupt was heard. Mr W. 1). Lysnar appeared for the petitioners and Mr 11. N. Jones for the debtor. After hearing argument, the case was reserved until Friday on the point as to whether the petition was sufficiently proved. The Matron of the Hospital acknowledges with thanks gifts of oranges and lemons from Captain Tucker, lemons from Mr George Schmidt, parcel of oxtails from Mr S. Lodge, ease of soda water from Mr J. Lucas, box of eggs from Mrs Tucker, magazines aud illustrated papers from Mr H. Williams and Captain Hart, of s.s. Star of Now Zealand. The local Tent of Kechabitcs still continue to increase their numbers, for at a mooting of the adult Tent last evening three new members wore proposed ; and at the juvenile meeting one new member was initiated and another proposed. The juveniles have decided to present any now member initiated with an emblem—an inducement which should further increase their membership.

At the meeting of the Hospital Trustees last evening, Mr Harding mentioned the case of an elderly Native residing on the Kaiti beach, who was in a poor state of health, and required medical attention. The old man was dependent upon the assistance of residents in the vicinity. It was decided -o get Dr Craig to see the man, and recommend as to whether he should be admitted to the Hospital or Old Men’s Home.

That enterprising settlor, Mr J. Hills, of Patutahi, received by the To Anau, from Messrs Andrews and Boaven, of Christchurch, one of their new improved Empire chaff-cutters, a large and substantial machine, capable of cutting from five to seven tons an hour, and pressing at the rate of from 20 to 28 bags to the ton. The machine is made with a 14-inch mouth, with four knives, and requires a five horse-power engine to work it, running at the rate of 500 revolutions per minute.

The well-known business firm of Messrs Teat and Friar, of Gladstone road, have a advertisement in this issue with regard to their great removal sale. Prior to removing to their now premises, they intend to hold a cash sale of drapery, clothing, and millinery, together with a largo quantity of English and Colonial boots. The firm’s whole stock will bo sold regardless of its cost in order to clear it out before removal The sale commences on Saturday next, 81st inst., and will be continued for one month.

Our readers are reminded of tho cantata “ Cloud and Sunshine,” to be rendered at the Wesleyan Church this evening. The cantata deals with the journey of the Children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan. Tho music is varied and of a sparklin'* nature, and comprises solos, quartettes, and choruses. There will be a full choir of over forty voices, under Mr E. H. Buckingham. Mr C. J. East will preside at tho organ, and Mr J. East will play flute obligatos. It is expected that there will be a large attendance, as it is a Ion" time since the choir have essayed anything of the kind. The Druids’ social at Ormond on Tuesday night was such an unqualified success that a strong desire was expressed that another such gathering would be held before the dance season is over. Tho M.C.’s on Tuesday night were Bros. Spiers and Bean, who ably oarried out the duties. During the evening Bro. Sawyer and Mr Ilogen sang, both responding to warm encores. The dance broke up at 2 a.m., and as the brakes were leaving for town throe hearty cheers were given for Bro. and Mrs Necnan, a graceful recognition of the splendid supper served up and the way in which Bro. and Mrs Neenan had assisted towards the suocess of the social. The request to hold another social at Ormond will probably be acceded to at an early date.

IThe ordinary meeting of the Hospital Trustees was held last evening, when the following members were present: Messrs Nolan (Chairman), Dewing, Kennedy, Joyce, Warren, Johnston, Harding, and Maefarlane. Tho monthly report showed that there were twenty patients in the Hospital, fifteen having been admitted during the month and six discharged. There had been two deaths during the month, one being a fever patient from Mangawai, and the other an elderly man, suffering from pluro-pneumonia. The Postmaster-General wrote, forwardin'* the sum of £527 9s, being amount of Government subsidy at 24s in the pound on 11439 10s lOd contributed by Mr S. J. Williams, of Christchurch, wrote, forwarding £4 for an account which he owed. He added: “ Let me take this opportunity of thanking your institution for the very kind, efficient, and skilful way in which 1 was treated. Ho ve\ or unworthy j my thanks may be I cannot help adding them to the already long list of voices who have testified to your kindness.” 1 The Treasurer reported that the total ’ receipts during the month amounted to 1 •£1052 11s 7d, made up as follows : Credit < balance £-15 14s, patients’ fees 4128 17s 9d, subscriptions £l2 19s 6d, Nesbitt memorial I fund £426 11s 4d, Government subsidy on E subscriptions £527 9s, intorest on inort- I gage £ll. The disbursements amounted 1 to £219 Is lOd, being accounts £69 Is lOd, ( and progress payment to W. 0. Skeet on account of building contracts £l5O. The a credit balance was £833 9s 9d, and there fc were accounts to bo passed that evening d amounting to £ll3 17s lid. There was a fi District Board requisition due amounting o So £220. The Chairman said that the h inances were at present in a vary healthy a state, but they would bo considerably ■educed when the buildings were com- si dieted and paid for. Messrs Harding and 5 Dewing were appointed a Visiting Comnittee for the ensuing month. 1 is

There are 1500 soldiers' graves in Bloemfontein. Part of the price paid for tue Johannesburg gold.—Hobart Clipper. Le Soir publishes a dispatch from lvome which says Mr Kruger will arrive in Rome early in October on his way to South Africa,'via Naples.

The tender of a Sydney firm of Chinese merchants has been accepted, says the Fiji Times, by the Government for bananas, produced by the natives of Colo West, Nadrogo, and 15a, for a period of three years, from the Ist inst. In consequence of this new arrangement the bananas from this province, in place of part going to New Zealand, and part to Sydney, as heretofore, will all be shipped to the latter port. For the future, therefore, the New Zealand steamer will not be required to proceed so far down the coast to collect banana shipments. That these are to be the conditions will favor the Eewa and local banana producers, as it will prevent the tender-produced article coming into competition with their fruit in the New Zealand markets.