The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1916. A DARING NEW ZEALANDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1916. A DARING NEW ZEALANDER.

Among the numerous daring and heroic achievements of the war, that performed by a New Zealander, Sub-lieutenant Brandon, in Britain last week Btands out as unique as an exhibition of courage and skill. The dominion has the best of reasons for being Drjjjjd that one of its sons was the first mall to bring down a Zeppelin in Britain, and the outburst of rejoicing at this feat in the Homeland adds to the honor of the brilliant achievement, which is without parallel in the annalg of aviation. The hero of the hour, who is 32 years of age, was a Wellington College boy, finishing his studies at Cambridge University. Last year he gave up a good position in the Dominion and went Home for the purpose of entering the Aviation Corps. After attending at the Flying School, Hendon, and the Military School at Harrow he received his commission in the Royal Flying Corps, only obtaining his certificate as an officer three weeks ago. Hence it .is to one of the most recently qualified pilots that the honor belongs of destroying one of the murderous raiding airships of the Teutons and the subsequent capture ol the officer and crew. But the spirit within him was that of a veteran, and carried his bold venture to a glorious success. The world has not yet lost the thrill caused by Sublieutenant Wameford's magnificent feat in destroying, single-handed, a Zeppelin flying over Belgium. Then the honor was to a Canadian, 30 that to the Dominions belongs the two greatest aerial achievements' of the war, both being without parallel. Well may the Motherland be proud of her overseas sons, for both accomplished their marvellous work single-handed. To set out in the inky darkness of night, alone on an aeroplane, and soar upwards and ever upwards in order to rise above a mammoth airship carrying a large crew and equipped with guns, bombs and other engines of destruction, requires a daring spirit and almost superhuman courage, in addition to exceptional coolness and skill. That Lieutenant Brandon was the ideal man for the purpose was proved by the result of his successful attack on the raider. In spite of being fired at repeatedly he eventually surmounted and bombed the Zeppelin, with the result that it was found in a sinking condition in the sea. When the news was made known it produced the most remarkable outburst of spontaneous delight that London has experienced for a long time. The heroic deed proves conclusively that these raiding, death-dealing airships can be attacked and destroyed by aeroplanes if only the right class of pilots are available, and Lieutenant Brandon's success should certainly stimulate his fellow aviators to dare to do likewise. It is high time that the lives and property of peaceful citizens in England and Scotland were more adequately protected than they have been in the past, and now that a New Zealander has shown how the destruction of Zeppelins can be iH'complished there should be no lack of aspirants to the same honor that he has 1 so worthily obtained. The publication of the detailed account of the exploit is awaited with the greatest interest. Meanwhile New Zcalanders may justly rejoice over the fact that the Dominion can produce men who, whether on land or in air, can perform acts of consummate bravery that should shed a lustre on the annals of Britain's glorious military achievements, and add to the greatness of the vast Empire which is now one—heart and soul—in its efforts to evolve a lasting peace by crushing the power of German militarism.

i"i-nt. Then the exciting events cuMooted with the arrest commenced, to bo followed by a tragedy! that can only bo greatly regretted. Had not Rua's son been shot he would have killed the arresting constable with an axe, and no ono wil blame the constable who saved the life of his comrade by taking that of Toko, Rua's youngest son. The highest commendation and praise is due to the Commissioner and his men for the manner in which they performed an extremely dengerous duty. Had Rua been allowed to contnue in his defiance of the Uw his followers would have spread far and wide that the Government feared Rua, and the trouble arising therefrom might have brought about another Native rising. By Rua's arrest his "mana" has departed, and there should bo no difficulty in counteracting the evil effects of this mad-brained "prophet." Such men as Rua are best kept from dong harm, and deluding the Katives into acts of sedition. For his owri sake, but more particularly for the welfare of the country it is as well that such disturbing factors should be kept under control. Rua has proved by his example and precepts that he is a danger even to his own people, and hj« will now have to answer for his part in tie tragedy which followed on his »r----rst. For the wounded constable there is every sympathy, coupled with admire tion for their courage. The law must now deal with Rua according to his crimes, ~.