ÆRIAL NAVIGATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 57, 25 July 1912, Page 5

ÆRIAL NAVIGATION.

A FAST AIRSHIP. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Berlin, July 23. The War Office has accepted the airship Zeppelin 111., with a speed of 49 1-5 miles an hour, the fastest in the world. A DOMINION" AEROPLANE. CANTERBURY INVENTION. PLANS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE AUTHORITIES.

Christchurch, July 23.

Mr. X. Jonasscn, of Christchurch, who has constructed, an aeroplane, recently submitted his proposals to the Defence Department, and has received the following letter from Colonel Heard, director of Staff Duties and Military Training.

"I have submitted your photographs and the description of your aeroplane to an expert, and he informs me that he thinks this would be a good machine if there had been no bamboo used in its manufacture. It appears similar to the latest Bristol monoplane. However, it is difficult to form an opinion without knowing more about its structure and having a full description of its wings, chassis, fuselage and empennage, and also of the shock-absorbers and wiring before me. I cannot hold out any hopes of financial assistance from the Defence Department. Our estimates have been cut down to the very lowest possible point, and ilhere is no allowance made for experiments in aviation,. Perhaps it is rather early to take up the subject. AVe have not learnt to walk yet, go flying seems a little previous." Mr. Jonassen states that he is preparing special flans of his machine, and these he intends to place before the department. He says that the machine is not on the same principle as the Bristol monoplane, although its appearance might give that impression.