POSTMEN OF THE SKIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1911, Page 5

POSTMEN OF THE SKIES.

HAMEXi INAUGURATES THE SERVICE. LONDON, 'September 10. The experimental aerial post between London and Windsor was iuauguiated yesterday. Owing to a strong wind Mr. Hamel was the only aviator to make the trip. His aeroplane (like tho two others that are intended to be used in the service) is inscribed "Coronation Aerial Mail." The aeroplane carried 90,000 letters and postcards. A hundred thousand other letters, consigned to the aerial post, await more favourable weather for their dispatch. The first aerial mail hags carried a message from the suffragettes to the Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith), bidding him to "remember votes for women in 1912."

The "Standard," in describing the initial s-teps for the establishment (A the service, said: "An aerial postal ser'vice will be initiated in England shortly, under the direct control of the Post-master-General. King George is personally interested in the scheme, and ■has given permission for the use of Windsor Park as the terminus of the service, which is to have London for its starting-point. A letter may 1* sent to anywhere iby aerial post, and will (be delivered' in the usual way, -though it will have travelled tho twenty-one miles 'from London to Windsor by swift aeroplane. One of tho objects of the scheme is, naturally, to further the science of aviation in this country, but that is not the main idea actuating the originators. The scheme las 'been initiated) 'by a (band of London gentlemen, who hope by this means to obtain further funds for a group of necessitous charities. The Postmaster-General and the Home Secretary were informed and invited to co-operate.