THE GARDEN FETE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 33, 7 February 1913, Page 4

THE GARDEN FETE.

THE MARTIANS

Conditions were perfect last night • when the. various local enthusiasts turned their instruments towards our planetary neighbor, Mars. The - signals were clear and distinct, and a^considerable amount of further information was obtained. Apparently the inhabitants x?f the planet are keeping in touch with their friends who •• are flying through space, for fragments of messages not intended forthis -earth, apparently, could occasionally be picked up. This accountsfor tho details which our local astronomers gleaned from the flashing:

signals. Having the highest power instrument, Mr G". Litchfield was again first in the field, and shortly before midnight received the first indications that the Martians were at work. A few minutes later the High School Observatory took/up the tale, and shortly afterwards they were able to detect the signals at Grovetown and Spring Creek. The results of the observations at these four points have been carefully compared, and the results may be shortly stated as follows:—

The Martains have partially solved the problem of gravitation, in that while unable to check its influence on bodies on or within 1000 miles of Mars, jret once outside that radius they are able to control any object irrespective of the force of gravity. Tims it was necessary to exert sufficient force to propel tho sphere in which our visitors are travelling outsied the 1000-mile radius, bu£ thereafter they can control themselves and direct their own course towards earth. This accounts for the terrible explosion reported last Tuesday. The Martians can no more live without an atmosphore than we can on the earth, though the chemical composition of their air is different from ours, which is much heavier. By agradual process of adding oxygen to the air which,they are carrying from Mars in their sphere, however, they hope to accustom themselves to terrestrial conditions before they arrive. Though the sphere is proof against the attractive force of the earth, yet it must be rememl>ered that they are travelling towards us at 250,000"miles an hour, so that it will take the whole of the earth's 50 miles of atmosphere to act as a brake on their impetuous fall. They are steering for Grovetown, however, and will probably land' on tho sandhills, which will break the force of landing. The visitors are carrying with them their own power-carriages, and will' probably travel in them to Blenheim if they arrive to time. Saturday night at 8 o'clock i§ the hour anticipated for their arrival on earth, and k£* T il} *** glided into town via the < Alfred Street bridge. They will be N within vrereloss range to-night. ' -