ÆRONAUTICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 908, 22 October 1910, Page 3

ÆRONAUTICS.

Ottawa, Oct. 20. Six of the ten balloons that started from St. Louis in the international race are now over Ontario. The Isle de France descended in a forest at Pogamasing, Ontario, after covering 725 miles and being 34 hours aloft. It is reported that the German balloon Hamburg 11. descended with terrific force at Lake Tujoising, Ontario, but details are not forthcoming. MR WELLMAN’S FAILURE. New Yoke, Oct. 20. Mr Walter Wellman attributes his trans-Atlantic flight failure to the equilibrator stopping the balloon from making headway. The equilibrator is a long rope attached to tanks of gasoline floating on the water. Mr Wellman’s hand was injured while catching ropes thrown by the rescuers from the steamer Trent. He plans a renewal of the flight in 1911. His balloon vanished when cut adrift, aud is believed to have been sunk by weight of machinery on board. tThe car and engines were given as weighing eleven tons).

AERIAL POSTMEN

Paris, Oct. xo. What will probably be the first aerial postal service is shortly to be established in Madagascar, the French colony in the Indian OceanThe Governor of the Island, General Picqnee, is negotiating with the French National Aeroplane League for the organisation of an aeroplane mail service, by means of which the capital, Antananariva, will be linked with towns 250 miles distant. At present it takes a letter six days to reach these places from Antananariva, but under the new system it will be delivered in as many hours. The military commandant of Madagascar is now engaged studying the country to be crossed, and it is expected that in a few days General Picqnee will take possession of the first aeroplane.