AN AUSTRALIAN-BUILT DIRIGIBLE

iiX-I'ATEA RESIDENT THE INVEN

A cable message from Sydney, published yesterday, announced a successful trip of Mr. A. J. Roberts's Austra-lian-built dirigible. Tho "Patea and Waverle.y Press," of Wednesday, states that" the dirigible, the first Australian constructed one, was built by; Mr. A. J. Roberts, who was formerly in cliargo of the municipal clectrio lighting works at Pa tea. Tiie balloon, says tho Pa ton paper, is constructed as far as possible of Australian material and by Australian bauds. Tho only part which was imported was tho balloon section, which it was found could not be made in Australasia. Tho'new airship, which is tho invention-as'well as tiie work of Mr. Roberts, is 80ft. by 18ft. over tlio gas-bag section, which represents tho sails of tho ship. Tlio "Nacelle," or framework which carries ; the engines and propcllor is 48ft. by 2ft. Gin. Mr. Roberts does not regard his vessel as much moro than a model. Its engine is 15-h.p., and its speed in calm weather is 1G miles an hour. "I would have to treble my engino power," snkl Mr. Roberts, "to got anotner five jniles an hour out of my little ship." Later, tho airship will tako up its occupation as a pleasure craft. Passengers will then bo able to sail gently over Sydney and about tho harbour. Tho ship may also be used at night as tin advertising hoarding.

Mr. Roberts is to leave for London shortly, hilt beforo doing so lie will jjivi' public demonstrations of his ship's capabilities and also of bis "wireless' inventions, which ho demonstrated in Wellington b.v moans of the model airtdiip a few.months "The airsiitp has thepnll as a f|>cclacle," said Mr. Roberts, "but tho wireless is the bic thins."-