TO IMITATE THE BIRDS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1911, Page 6

TO IMITATE THE BIRDS.

AN AUCKLAND FLYING MACHINE,

[ay TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, March 23,

' Aviation is making rapid strides in New Zealand, and at no distant date Aucklanders will have the opportunity of seeing the flying men at work. The pioneers in Auckland are the Auckland Aeroplane Syndicate, and it was with a view to seeing how far they have advanced in their work that a reporter visited Papakura yesterday to witness the syndicate’s biplane in flight. The Manurewa is the name of the machine, signifying "floating bird,” and one gains the impression that the name should be fitting. After taking a first glance at the machine in the half-light of the early morning at 5.30, a start was made to send the aeroplane up in flight. Every wire was strained, making the “tone” in accord throughout, and the pilot (Mr Y. Walsh) then took his seat. The engine was started and the twobladed six-foot propeller was set revolving at a speed that left only a blur to bo seen. * The huge flying bird was then started rolling up and down a field, giving the pilot time to get accustomed to his work. Up and down went the machine, gaining momentum and hopping off the ground at intervals, taking leaps that made in cover distances vaiying from twenty feet to thirty feet. This was not flying, however, but all of a sudden the gentle hum of the engines seemed to cease and up rose the white mass until it was poised forty feet in the air. It was magnificent, but the acclamations of wonder soon ceased. A pocket of wind had caught and tilted the plane until the machine was nearly vertical. The tail was down, and the aeroplane rapidly fell, striking the ground with an incline to the left. Everything stopped suddenly, but fortunately the shock was eased in a degree by the i skids, and the machine righted. The fall had caused some damage, such as a few broken streamers and struts in the under section. The pilot had not been dislodged and no material damage having been done, preparations were at once started to make repairs to enable another exhibition to be [given.