IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 34, 3 August 1911, Page 4

IN THE AIR.

Although New Zealand leads the earth she has taken no part in the conquest of the air, and although we may talk glibly about aeroplanes and biplanes, they are as yet a totally unknown feature of evcry-day life. We refuse to be surprised at anything nowadays, and therefore the feats of airmanship wc read about inspire just a little less wonder than the feat of a sprint runner or'the breaking of a record by a colonial swimmer. The Daily Mail thousandmile race marks the greatest achievement of aerial navigation, and the results will go far to prove the permanent utility of air-travel. The brains of all nations are at work devising improvements in these air machines. Such races as this Daily Mail race produce men of infinite courage and resource from all nations. As in all great contests, "the weak go to the wall," both in men and machines, and there will be evolved from the successes and disappointment reliable and trustworthy aeroplanes that will, ono hopes, be proof against the elements. In the Daily Mail race, the distances were travelled at a greater speed that man has ever travelled before, and this at least is most wonderful. The airmen are evidently developing u new sense of locality, for although it seemed difficult for many of the contestants to alight at specified places, the ease with which many arrived at the "stations" was most marked. Aerial navigation lias added a new zest to life in all countries where it has become a recognised institution, and ii} the years to come no doubt many enterprising New Zealanders will enter the lists of the air, and add improvements that will increase the utility of the mechanical birds.