FROM FRANCE TO ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 9, 5 July 1911, Page 5

FROM FRANCE TO ENGLAND.

A FLIGHT OF AEROPLANES. By Gible.—Press Association. —Copyright London, July 3. There were enormous crowds at Dover at daybreak, and the weather was beautiful when Vedrines acroplaned ifrom Calais to Dover. Yidart arrived next, then Gilbert., Beaumont, Kimmering. Garros and Valintine. After' Valintine the next to arrive at Dover were Train, Talmteau, and llcnaux, the latter carrying a passenger, Barra being last. Vedrines continued his flight, and reached Hondrm aviation ground at 8.3.") a.m., Vidart at O.fl, Kimmering at 0.4. and Beaumont at !).15. Tabuteau, Gilbert, Barra and fienaux have arrived at Ilcndon. Gilbert won the cross channel cup. completing that portion of the journey in 37min. ")7sec. Beaumont won £2500 for the fastest journey from Paris to Londoii, and Vedrines the prize for the fastest from Calais to London.

In The Aeroplane: Past, Present, and Future, published recently in London, several of the most famous aviators indulge in forecasts concerning the future of living. M. Louis Paul-ham thinks that by the end of 1015, and perhaps before, there will have been evolved a machine sutl'iciently safe for ordinary use. liy ]i)2o he expects to see aeroplane services established and running regularly between cities. In the opinion of Mr. S. F. Cody, we shall have in about ten years' time a large passengercarrying aeroplane, able to compete successfully with steamers and trains. Before another 20 years have passed, writes Mr. A. V. Roe, we shall be crossing the Atlantic in about IS -hours by aeroplane. A novelty of quite the immediate future, in Mr. IT. Farman's view, will be the organisation of aerial tours by aeroplane. Special aerial tours will be arranged to take place in favorable weather, with the idea of- visiting the beauty spots of various countries. On the other hand, Mr. V. Jver-Seymer can see no commercial future in this country for a large passenger-carrying aeroplane. But in other lands, notably in Central and South America ana Africa, where, owing to the vast, expanse or natural difficulties, railway construction is limited and expensive, such an aeroplane could render invaluable service.