ÆRONAUTICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 920, 19 November 1910, Page 2

ÆRONAUTICS.

A NEW ZEALANDER’S ACHIEVEMENTS. A London cable message on Monday stated that Mr J. Hammond, a New Zealander, was proceeding to Australia with two British bi-planes, intending to make flights in Australasia. This air-man is a son of the late Mr Joseph Hammond, formerly owner of the Bulls racecourse, and a grandson of Mr Matthew Hammond, of “Killeymoou,” Bulls, Rangitikei. An English paper stat; that Hammond is a New Zeaiimder by birth, who has resided for some years in Seaford (England). “ His mechanical turn of mind,” says the paper, “ brought him into close contact with aeroplanes, and his ambition to become a skilled aviator strengthened to action, so journeying to Rbeiras, he had no difficulty in proving his prowess to the authorities, who granted him his certificate as Pilote Aviator of the Aero Club of France, which means that he bolds the highest credentials, and is qualified to fly asi a recognised aviator. . . . The extraordinary aptitude for flying which Mr Hammond possesses is clearly manifested by the fact that on his second flight he succeeded in flying across the country for over twenty-five miles, at a height of 2000 ft., on his Sanchez-fiesa biplane. The public press in France are loud in their praise of the young aviator, bailing him as the coming champion of the bi-plane, for not only at Rbeims has he been creating a sensation by his skill and intrepidity, but in Bethany, Vitry, etc. Mr Hammond is the first colonial to pass the authorities as a full-fledged aviator, and holds the record tor speed in passing the brevet He has already been 'inundated wiUr offers of engagements from au parts of the world, some of which he has accepted.”