NEW BATTLEPLANE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 6, 8 January 1916, Page 2

NEW BATTLEPLANE.

CARRIES LARGER BOMBS THAN THE ZEPPELIN.

Mr. Selmer Tanglier, t-he London correspondent of the New York Sun gives the following description of the newest and most powerful British aeroplane:—

After seeing the factories I was granted the privilege of making an ascent in the latest British Army biplane—the first civilian to whom such a trip has been granted. Were I permitted to describe the unequalled features of this machine it would astonish the world. It must suffice to say that it achieves better results 'in speed and climbing ability than any previous model; it is fitted with a gun of marvellous precision; and is built to carry a deathdealing projectile more than twice the size and weight of any misile known to have been carried even in Zeppelins. Sitting in the observer’s seat, I had at no time the slightest cause for anxiety, despite the gale and the fast on-coming darkness. Not a tremor di I perceive beyond the roar of the motor, so wonderfully stable is this machine. The pace at which we ascended worked out at almost I,oooft per minute. In a factory I saw'the making of the parts of the new biplane in which I flew. The newer models embody, one might almost say, hundreds of inventions the secret of which is held by the British War Office. The Royal Aircraft Factory is now a veritable city, equipped with every modern improvement and engaging the activities of thousands of men and women. In the designing room 150 engineers are continually busy

Two battalions of the Rifle Brigade, numbering 2,200 men, under Coolnel Smythe, and the Field Ambulance, of 300 mi'ti, under Lieut. Col. Hardie -Neil, will embark at Auckland for an overseas destination early in February. The troops will arrive in Auckland on February S.

More than half a million Gierman and Austrian prisoners of war and interned civilians are being cared for in Siberia (says a Vladivostock message of October 14 to the New York Herald). Russia has scattered its prisoners the length of Hie trans-Si-berian line, from the eastern border of European Russia to Lake Baikal.

There i s rather a good story told of two Australians who were sent back from the trenches in charge of one prisoner. Between the trenches and their base they came under fire, and, after consulting, decided to dispose of their charge, and get back to the shelter of their trench. On their return their officer said, “You are back soon. Did you get him down all right?” “Well, sir, we had to harpoon the devil; he tried to surround us.’