THE POLAR AIRSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 218, 12 September 1907, Page 4

THE POLAR AIRSHIP.

Apparently Mr Walter Wellman has not yet succeeded in starting oh his adventurous journey to the North Pole. Heavy gales from the north have prevented the launching of his airship, and the most extraordinary of all Arctic explorations must be put off for another year. This will doubtless be a bitter disappointment to the intrepid voyager, who is firmly convinced that he will succeed in his mission. It is nearly two years since the editor of the "Chicago Record-Herald" started Mr Wellman on this adventurous project; but he is by no means a novice at Arctic travel. In 1894 he led an expedition to the northeast shore of Spitzbergen; and in IS9B he went as far north as the 82nd parallel in Franz Josef Land. Three summers and one winter in the Arctic zone have taught Mr Wellman more than most explorers have learned about the dangers and hardships of these desolate regions. But his experiences have convinced him that the -traditional method of forcing a way to the Pole in dog sledges over the ice j is foredoomed to failure, and he. is fully persuaded that a voyage either by airship or dirigible balloon is not only practicable, but relatively safe and certain of success. Mr Well-nan's confidence in airships is based on a fairly wide experience ol these marvellous mechanisms. He has seen the Santos-Dumont and Lebaudy airships at work; and the splendid success of the French military balloon "La Patrie" at last induced him to risk his life in this remarkable quest. A company to finance the expedition was formed, and Wellman has received valuable advice and help from the French Academy of Science and several of the mosteminent European aeronauts. Andree's ill-fated balloon-trip to the North had been scouted as suicidal in Paris; but the few years that have elapsed since his disastrous experiment have made a marvellous difference in man's control over the air. A large airship was ordered from the best constructors, and the foremost scientific skill of the day was employed in fitting it for its stupendous task. "La Patrie," on which the Wellman airship is chiefly _no<_elled, can average 25 miles an hour in calm weather, for about 15 hours. To be sure of forcing an airship ahead even in the face of a heavy gale a speed of 50 miles an hour ought to 'be attainable; hut this, so far, is beyond the .range of practical possibilities. Moreover, the motive power requisite for even 30 miles an hour would have required engines so heavy and a framework so huge that the airship would have been unmanageably large. In the end the Wellinan ship was a compromise; but it certainly promised success. The starting point fixed upon was Danes Island, on the northwest extremity of Spitzbergen, and there, through the short Arctic summer last, year, the members of the expedition strove hard to complete their preparations, and make a start across the six hundred miles of sea that separated them from their goal. Mr Wellman's account of his sojourn at Danes Island last year has been widely published; and. no one reading it can fail to be impressed hy the magnitude of the task that the explorer had undertaken. The mere practical difficulties of construction and equipment were prodigious. The "hall" in which the airship has been set up and inflated was a huge structure 82ft high, 83ft wide and 190 ft long, built on steel arches. There were about 400 tons of iron and steel for this building, 125 tons of sulphuric acid, 75 tons of scrap-iron, 30 tons of chemicals, half a ship load of provisions, and an immense assortment of engines, tools, sledges, and minor paraphernalia, all to be landed and handled on this frozen sea coast by a small party of men. The airship is 183 ft long and 52£ ft thick; its steel car is 115 ft long, and the distance from the bottom of the car to the top of the gas reservoir is 65ft, the height of a four-storey house. The surface of the balloon is 24,000 square feet, or more than half an acre, and the weight of the cotton, silk and rubber envelope, alone is two tons. In all, about ten tens solid weight of men and materials will be thus transported through the air. Naturally, all possible precautions have been taken to prevent the escape of gas and to minimise the risk of accidents; and as the airship can sail 15 sea miles an hour for 150 hours on gasoline and for 180 hour 3 with both liquid and gaseous fuel—K-hout 2250 to 2700 sea miles in all—there ought to be, theoretically, no doubt about her ability to cover the distance from Spitzbergen to the Pole and back again to the margin of the habitable earth. We need not enter into technical details about engines and screws and rudders. It is sufficient to say that the "America" combines all the most ingenious and effective applications of (modern science to the problem of aerial navigation. Every conceivable opportunity has been utilised to increase the security of the aeronauts, or to provide for their comfort. Even the guide rope dangling from, the car is a great leather cylinder, tightly packed with provisions for use in an emergency. Only four men will start on this unprecedented voyage—Mr Wellman and three aeronautic specialists and scientific . observers; and with good fortune they may reach the North Pole in two days or even less from the start. With winds blowing against them at the average rate of 10 miles an hour it would take them five days; but if the winds were prolonged at a higher rate of velocity, as Mr Wellman says, they would never get there at all. However, he means to get back. In the first place, with good luck, they should easily reach the Pole and get back to Danes Island within 10 days. If *.c gasoline is exhausted by the time they reach the Pole they could reduce the weight of the airship by gradually throwing overboard most of the mechanism and returning as an ordinary drifting balloon. If the airship takes them near the Pole, the dogs and sledges they carry should enable them to travel back across the polar ice to land. In the last resort, so large is their stock of food that they could pass a whole winter in the Arctic regions in safety, and start back again in the following summer. It sounds satisfactory enough, and it is impossible to help being infected by Mr Wellman's courage and con--fidence as we read his own graphic statement of the case and his forecast of success. But most people will find mingling with their expressions of goodwill for the adventurers so_-ething more than a suspicion that the fate of Andree may be repeated in an even more tragic fashion in the voyage of the American airship.

The foDowing is C-iptain Edwin's weather forecast for 24 hours from 9a_n. this-day: "From between north suod west and south-west, strong winds to gale; glass fall." At a meeting of the Auckland Women's Christian Temperance Union, held yesterday afternoon in the Albert-street Hall, several matters of general interest were discussed, the principal one having reference to the abolition of packet licenses, which subject formed the text of a resolution passed at a previous meeting and forwarded to the Premier and various shipping companies. Several replies were read showing that the matter was receiving attention, in the right quarters. A lecture will be delivered to-morrow evening at the Y.M.CA. Rooms by Mr W. Brakenrig entitled, "A Tour Bound the World," and will be illustrated with the lantern. The secretary of the Liberal and Labour Federation (Mr T. Harle Giles) has received the following from the Minister for Justice: "Your letter dated 15th ult., addressed to the Right Hon. the Premier, having reference to a resolution passed at a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Liberal and LabourFederation re importance of providing an oil launch for use of the police stationed at Auckland harbour, has been referred to mc, and in reply thereto I have the honour to inform you that the police have at present instructions to hire a boat or launch when required in the execution of their duty. At present it would be very injudicious to provide a launch whilst the improvements are going on at the wharves, but, as soon as proper accommodation is provided for the police and for a launch, the matter will be favourably considered. Signed, James McGowan, Minister of Justice." The Tramway Company's repairing waggon was crossing Parnell rise yesterday afternoon, when it capsized, owing to the steep incline, with the result that the men on the top platform.had a nasty fall. One of the repairers, Mr Russel Donald, had the misfortune to break his leg, but the other occupants of the vehicle escaped serious injury. The injured man was attended in the first instance by Dr. Goldstein, after which he was removed to tbe hospital. The residence of Mrs Fairley, on the Tararu-road, Thames, was destroyed by fire about 7.30 o'clock last evening. It is stated that the fire originated owing to the bursting of a kerosene lamp. Some of the furniture was saved, but the building was destroyed, as it was situated some distance from the fire brigade station, consequently, when the men reached the place, the flames bad got such, a strong hold that it was impossible to do more than cave adjoining premises from being destroyed. Yesterday (Wednesday) the teachers in training at the Auckland Training College, who have recently been receiving a course of instruction in nature study and elementary agriculture under Mr V. W. Jackson, B__., instructor in agriculture to the technical branch of the Education Board, paid a visit to the Government experimental farm at Wairangi. They were accompanied hy Mr George George (director |>f technical education), Mr H. A. E. Milnes (principal of the training college), Signor Bragato (Government viticulturist), Mr G. P. DarnallSmith (assistant director of technical education), and Mr V. W. Jackson. The wme-making, pruning, grafting, budding, were inspected, and short lectures on vineyards, orchards, nursery cellars, etc, etc., were given by Signor Bragato and Mr Bairett, the nurseryman at the farm. The instruction given was most profitable, and was much appreciated by the teachers. A hearty vote of thanks to Signor Bragato and the staff at the farm was accorded by the visitors. There has been, cons-dc-able discussion by local bodies in the Y7ellington province and in Parliament concerning the case of a consumptive who was recently refused admission to the Otaki Sanatorium. The District Hospital Board indignantly repudiates the charge that admission was refused because of the man's straitened financial circumstances. The board decided that it would be guided as to the treatment of the case by the report of its medical officer, who will decide whether the cause has a prospect of being cured. It is proposed to hold a conference of the bodies interested, in order to prevent overlapping in the future, and the Government will be asked to be represented at the conference, tho opinon being held that an intermediate, hospital for consumptives should be provided in the district. The Auckland ladies' hockey team and a number of gentlemen friends were entertained by the Gisborne lady representatives at a progressive euchre party at the Alexandra tea rooms on Friday evening. The ladies' first prize was won by Miss C. Maris-Clark, captain of the visiting team, and Mr D'Anvers won the gentlemen's. Occasion was taken by Miss Matthews, on behalf of the representative team, to present Miss V. Reynolds, the local captain, with a very handsome silver-mounted oak inkstand, as a token of esteem in which she is held by the members of her team. Miss Reynolds thanked the team for their gift, which she said she will always cherish. Miss Reynolds extended t.i the Auckland ladies a very hearty welcome, saying that, although they were defeated in their first match, she congratulated them on their strenuous efforts for victory. She would always think with pleasure of the very many pleasant games they had played together, and hoped that next season Gisborne would still enedavour to uphold their reputation. Cheers were given for the captains of both teams, after which a very enjoyable evening was brought to a close. A knowledge of first aid was very effectively applied by two Maori boys at Manurewa a few days ago. A settler's wife, who had got on the roof of her cottage in order to extinguish a fire in the chimney, fell to the ground and broke her arm. Two Maori boys who were near by went to her assistance and commenced to fix the injured limb, which was twisted round. They worked it gradually into position, though the woman fainted at each turn. On getting it into position they placed it in splints and then directed their attention to the fingers, which were also broken. After putting them in splints they procured a horse and trap and drove the woman several miles to a doctor, who declared that but for the skilful manner in which the lads had treated the injured arm an operation would have been necessary. At the Central Mission Hall to-morr-ow night an interesting illustrated address will be given by the President of the Christian Endeavour on the Mahoinmedans of Egypt. Special slides of recent make will be used and shown with the aid of a limelight lantern. The agony of an aching bead drives away every thought of pleasure and causes anxiety to the sufferer's friends. Steams' Headache Cure brings quick relief and makes life livable.—Advt.

Mr J. 'Thames' will self" by auction at noon to-morrow' a valuable business site with' shop and dwelling at the corner of Gs-rfield-street and Manukau-. road; Parnell, a house of 7 rooms and . one acre of ground in Cheshire-street, and (without reserve) two attached leasehold cottages in Totararstreet, off Hepburn-street. Particulars are advertised. The Auckland branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation recently passed resolutions in regard to the necessity for imposing a duty on imported ammunition, for the purpose of encouraging the local, factory, which provided employment for a large number of workmen. At the meeting of the branch last evening, Mr T. Gresham moved that the Minister for Customs and his Ministerial colleagues be congratulated on their acting in accordance with these resolutions, and also that the meeting record its approval of their policy in protecting local industries as far as possible. Mr Gulliver seconded the motion, which was carried. At the meeting of the Auckland branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation last evening, a deputation from the Auckland Cremation Society, consisting of Dr J. S. Purdy and Mr R. R. Hunt, attended to supply information with respect to the advantages of having a crematorium erected in the city. Mr Hunt stated that a sum of £50 had already been subscribed by the society for this purpose, and he suggested that £500 should be raised, and that the City Council should be then asked to give the remainder and a site for the building. Dr Purdy pointed out the advantages of cremation, both from the hygienic ami sanitary points of view, and said that the system was very necessary in a place like Auckland, where the soil was so largely volcanic in nature. Whereas burials in Auckland cost £14 on an average, he considered that a single cremation would not cost more than £5 once the expenditure in erecting the building had been provided for. In Hull, cremation cost £1 for residents and £3 for nonresidents. He could not understand the statement that two recent cremations in Auckland had entailed an expenditure of £27, but, if such were the case, there must have been some mismanagement. It was finally resolved to bring the subject up for further consideration at next meeting. The "Lyttelton Times" states that a private expedition has been arranged in Canterbury to visit the Kermadec Islands and inquire into the fauna and flora there. The islands are about 600 miles north-east of Auckland. They are included in the colony of New Zealand, but little is known about their animal and plant life. There will be four members of the expedition. Each will undertake a separate branch of investigation, and it is expected that the whole of the fauna and flora will be thoroughly investigated. The scheme originated with Mr W. L. Wallace, of Timaru, who will give up most of his attention to zoology. Mr W. R. Brook Oliver, of Christchurch, will be the botanist of the party. It is intended to take meteorological observations, which, it is thought, will be of importance to climatology, especially in New Zealand, and there is a probability that the Government will furnish all instruments for that purpose. The expedition will leave New Zealand in one of the Government steamers about the end of December. The members will stay on Sunday Island, the principal island of the group, and will come back to New Zealand by the steamer's return trip. Notwithstanding, that during the past twelve months quite a number of business men in Waikato have been victimised by means of valueless cheques, there still appears to be a good field in Hamilton for an enterprising young man who is fairly well-dressed and can write a decent hand. A day or two ago a gantleman answering to this description made his appearance, and although lie wap supposed to be representing the Waterbury Watch Company, and had just arrived in the colony, he thought another travelling bag would not be amiss, and accordingly called upon one of the most astute men in Hamilton and purchased one, tendering a cheque for £4, which was duly changed. As an evidence of his versatility, he then went a little further up the street, and, in spite of his connection with a watchmaking company, decided i~> purchase a rolled gold watch, which a.l even more astute business man supplied to him, receiving as payment a cheque. This time he was the representative of a large electric lighting company, and was acting as their special commissioner to instal the light at the Commercial Hotel, Hamilton. The cheques were drawn upon an Auckland bank, and in due course were returned with the cheering injunction "refer to drawer." The same mail the versatile stranger wrote to each of the tradesmen stating that owing to the failure of a business speculation he had been compelled to withdraw all his ■ money from the bank, and requesting that the cheques should be presented on the 20th. No doubt this was done in . order to give him -time to make good • his escape, and probably by that date , he will be presenting his cheques in a i distant part of the colony, where he ; will no doubt find plenty of people anxi- • ous to do business.—♦" Argus." i A gentleman called at the office of the > "Press (Christchurch) with a pair of boots he was about to deposit -with the ! shoemaker for repairs. They were sty- • lish-looking goods, imported, and a good price had been paid for them. But their i beauty was only skin deep. The outer t layer of the sole_ and heel consisted of - the thinnest possible wafer of leather— . so thin, indeed, that it could as readily I be torn as a piece of rag. Beneath this ) was shoddy and rubbish. Irregular-sized - scraps of leather wore tacked or pasted 3 into the insole, the interstices being filled with wads of brown paper and drippings of glue. The boots appeared T to be of excellent quality when purchas--3 ed, and were sold as such. They were • of good shape, and well got-up, and prof noised to fulfil a long and honourable 1 term of usefulness. All of these expectai tions, however, were falsified. After a 3 few days' service, the outer flake of lea- - ther peeled off and revealed the guilty 1 secrets beneath. ' A leading London financial paper > makes a quotation from the Board of 1 Trade Journal regarding the exceedingly ' flourishing condition of trade during las. ' year both in New Zealand and in Aus--1 tralia. It is mentioned that the exports 1 especially increased to a large extent, ' both in quantity and value, owing to the s advanced prices received on the markets r of Great Britain and other countries, the 3 total of £19,500,000 exceeding by over - £3,000,000 that of the previous year. Wool, the staple product, was in great demand, the total shipments amountin"' to 165,000,0001b in weight, valued at " £7,500,000, representing increases of 21,----1 000,0001b weight and £1,500,000 in value. Next in order of importance was tallow, " the export of which advanced in valueto £535,000, an increase of 11205,000; while hemp, sheep and rabbit liins and 3 hides also showed satisfactory Khcreascs. 1 Nicer articles you could no(D procure . before. The latest novelties _n boys' . English suits just coming i_V Geo Fowlds.—(Ad.)