AEROPLANES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17997, 14 February 1924, Page 2

AEROPLANES.

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE PRESS." Sir, —I see you have a disturbed correspondent suffering from "airplanitis" again. It is a sad complaint, but, luckily, not hopeless, nor. let us trust, malignant. It is so difficult in any community to make due allowance for the sick, the maimed, and the blind, and vet not interfere with the progress of the quick, since the quick must needs progress, or retrogress, which is, of course, unthinkable. Like the poor, we have the former class always with us. and while we must endeavour to make their lot as pleasant and comfortable as possible, still, we cannot help wishing they were fewer in number. An intelligent perusal of the bright works of Monsieur Emile Corie —and thev are not very lengthy—and a conscientious endeavour towards selfhelp through carrying out his ideals could do a vast amount to assist tliose who are receptive minded, by a shorter method than the more lethargic Britishers have been wont to employ. I hope you note my use of the past tense of the verb, as we look for better things in the future. Now, to revert. Airplaning, like submarining, is fairly modern. Unfortunately, Christchurch is not, and somehow the people seem unable to accept this fact, nnd improve on it. "We have Dr. Thncker just back from a semi-world tour, ready for us to embark on o\ir task of "keeping up,'' but—are we ready to meet him half-way? I fear not. Now, the airplanes must be regarded as an accepted fact, and as invalids are already an accepted fact, you see they have much in common 1 And the day will come when invalids will use the planes as their smoothest and most comfortable method of transport, much as they do the motor ambulances now. After all, at depends so very much on the individual point of view, since some sick folk have been known to receive the greatest possible benefit from the airplanes manoeuvring. Then they are the newest travel means in the British Isles, on the Continent, so why not in Australasia ? What are we waiting for to awaken us—another war? Certainly some of the air "busses" are noisy, one in use at the Wigram aerodrome is noticeablv lieavy in the thrust. But so arc some motor-cars noisy, many motor-cycles (more so where not sufficiently modified, or muffled), and electric trains squealing round curves on a dry day, also many motor-lorries, and nearly all trains. So to really get peace and quietness tlie "Old Sufferer" and his kind would need to seek the country and, with the stock, flisk being still disturbed by the occasional visits of the aeroplanes. While on the subject of aviation, one cannot help expressing regret that the gliding pioneers have met with such "hard knocks," but, like all pioneering, it is always difficult' and somewhat dangerous, and they have the satisfaction of knowing they are probably making the way smoother for their successors. Yours, etc., PENROD WESTWARD.