LORD KELVIN ON AIR SHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11986, 7 June 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

LORD KELVIN ON AIR SHIPS.

" Airships on the Santos-Dumont plan are a delusion and a snare," said Lord Kelvin, the great scientist and the improver of the mariner's compass, who arrived at New York with Lady Kelvin on the Campania lately. "The idea, of paddling balloons with oars in a very old one, and will never become practical. It is useless, useless. A balloon with paddles can never be of any practical use. " Wireless telegraphy is a marvellous invention," continued Lord Kelvin; "I saw it demonstrated on the ship I came on. I sent two messages and received one from a relative in New York. Wireless telegraphy will undoubtedly be of great commercial importance. • " I have, come to America to look over the works of the Kodak Company. They Lave a new way of taking photographs which is a great addition to.science. I am a director in the company." Lord Kelvin is slightly deaf in the left, ear; he stoops slightly; his hair' and beard are snow white. He is an octogenarian, but appears much younger. Lady Kelvin is taller than her husband, and a fine-looking woman, pleasant-faced, and democratic in her ways. She was dressed very plainly in black. She wore a bonnet; her hair is also snow white. Lord and Lady Kelvin went to the Wal-dorf-Astoria. A reception will be given them by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers at Columbia University.