OUR GIFT BIPLANE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14659, 7 May 1913, Page 10

OUR GIFT BIPLANE.

AVIATION CORPS TO BE FORMED

(SPECIAL TO "TIIE PRESS.")

WELLINGTON, May 6. As recently announced in. a cabio message, tho Imperial Air .Fleet Committee is presenting to the New Zealand Government tho aeroplane in which Mr Gustave Hamel made a successful flight from London to Cologne. Following upon the arrival in the Dominion of this machine, there is to b<? established here the nucleus of a New Zealand Aviation Corps, organised by the Defence Department. General Godley said that definite steps had already by the Defence Department in rogard to the establishment of an aviation corps in New Zealand.

"We have in England at the present time," said Genera! Godley, '"an officer of the New Zealand forces undergoing instruction, with the object of taking up this important branch of" military service when he returns to New Zealand. I refer to Lieut. Piper. We have also in New Zealand several men who are qualified by their knowledge of machines to sio into training under proper supervision, and advantage will be taken of the gift aeropUfne to establish tho nmr't'iis of an Army Aviation Corps in NVw Zealand." General Godley added th.it he was unable to nffnrd further information on the subject at present. It is understood, however, that thi> gift machine is a biplane of tbe Bristol type, is a trH'd marhinp. and has already done olßfifnt .sorvi'-c,' not only in long-distanro flirhts. but also in active campagning during tho Ualkan war. ✓