ÆRIAL NAVIGATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 377, 30 April 1910, Page 5

ÆRIAL NAVIGATION.

THE GREAT RACE. PAULHAX"S FIXE RECORD. WHITE MEETS WITH HARD LUCK. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, April 28. Continuing his journey from London to Manchester, White left Roade in tlie darkness, guided by the searchlights of motor-cars. His motor got out of gear, and he was compelled finally to descend at Polesworth. Paulhan slept at Lichfield. In the early morning, hearing that W T hite was within twenty miles, he feverishly tuned his aeroplane and started at nine minutes past four. He soon ascended to 400 feet. There was a head wind, and he made slow progress until he reached Stanton Bridge at 4.55. 'flierea'fter he sometimes ilew at the rate of sixty miles an hour. Crewe was reached at 5.10 a.m., and he was over Manchester, at a height of 500 feet, at 5.32 a.m. He»was greeted with wild cheering by a huge crowd as he alighted in a graceful curve in the centre of a selected field. His average speed was 47 miles an hour. Paulhan's first words on alighting were:" I am very cold, but very happy." He states that the wind continually forced his aeroplane off the route of the railway line, which he was following as closely as possible. Sometimes it rose or tell 30 feet in varying currents. The spectators at Stafford obtained a brilliant view of Halley's comet with the naked eye.

White states that the high wind experienced after passing Rugby twisted liis aeroplane three times. London, April 28.

White this evening resumed his journey towards Manchester, but was caught in a storm, and his aeroplane was damaped. He alighted at Lichfield, and aban doned the attempt. "THE WORLD'S GREATEST AVIATOR." WILBUR WRIGHT'S VIEWS. Received April 29, 9.30 p.m. London, April 29. Wilbur Wright describes Paulhan as the world's most skilful flyer. He believes that an aeroplane can easily be constructed to carry sufficient gasoline for a successful trans-Atlantic flight. While he declares that Paulhan is the greatest aviator in the world, he modestly adds "I am an amateur." He l'-logvaphed to Paulhan his heartiest congratulations on his splendid performance, adding, "The better man won."

The Times says that Paulhan flew at a much greater elevation than- White, iind probably had sound reasons for his choice. White had been equally far from the aerial eddies caused by the irregularities of land surface. It was quite OTobaWe that whether or not he won the race, he would have reached Manchester. A GENEROUS RIVAL. Received April 30. 0.20 a.m. London, Anvil 20. Paulhan declares that White failed solelv through bad luck and error in having fixed stopping-places. He was .probably persuaded against his own judgment bv advisers and officials.