AN AUCKLAND AIRMAN

Evening Star, Issue 15074, 4 January 1913, Page 11

AN AUCKLAND AIRMAN

». [Special to the Star.] AUCKLAND, January 4. Just how isolated New Zealand is from the rest of the world is brought homo by realisation of the fact that this is perhaps the only English-speaking country of its size that has not yet seen an aeroplane in full flight. Since the mastery of the air became an accomplished fact sonic six yea is ago various attempts have been made in New Zealand to manufacture aeroplanes. In several instances machines have been brought to the testing point, but so far no one in this country has been able to attain a flight worth talking about. The latest attempt to achieve the honor of making New Zealand's first flying machine is that which is being undertaken by Mr H. Stevenson, a young Auckland mechanic. Keen by your representative this morning, Mr Stevenson urged that at the present time nothing at all should be said about his machine lest, as has been the experience of other would-be birdmen, his hopes should lx! doomed to failure. Under pressure, however, he allowed the reporter to have a look at his plane, which is nowcompleted and ready for her first trial. While previous attempts to fly in NewZealand have been made off the land, Mr Stevenson is to make his starting place from the water. The float, which takes, the place of pneumatic-tyred wheels, is built on the model successfully used by Mr Curtis, the well-known English airman, while the wings are similar to those used by Lieutenant Dunn on his machines. The engine is a. 30 h.p. Alvaston, and the. propeller, which is in front of the machine, is 7ft Bin long, while, the seat is at the back. It is a remarkably light and at the same time an exceedingly strong structure. An illustration of the latter fact was provided when the inventor asked, the reporter to hang on with him to the tail of the machine. This looked to be. so light and frail as to be capable of beaiv ing no nioie than its own weight, yet the weight of two grown men made no 'impression upon the framework. Mr Stevenson is exceedingly modest about his enterprise, and declines to talk much about it until after Irk first-trial, to be made'in-a fortnight's time, when he will know whether his reward is success or failure.