A NEW ZEALANDER ABROAD

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 2899, 6 October 1909, Page 59

A NEW ZEALANDER ABROAD

INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS.

(Fbom Ova Own Correspondent ) AT V KLL INGTON, September'3o. Mr h Ke>nolds, one of the leaders of tha cycle trade in New Zealand, has returned to Wellington from a business visit to Londen. Mr Reynolds left here some hve months ago, proceeding Home via Sydney in the P. and 0. liner India Lniortumitely sickne*. broke out on the voyage, and he was one of the victims the result being that on arrival in London iie vras compelled to submit to medical treatment. Re also had the misfortune to expenence an exceptionally wet summer -\lr Reynolds states that* he found the c^cle and motor trade, into which he went thoroughly, very depressed indeed. It was set down as one of the poorest season* the trade had experienced. There war, no doubt that the wretched summer had something to do with the condition °/ tl f de ' but liad been emphasised by the depression in tbe money market. On top of that had come the Governments Budget proposals, which were far from encouraging to the motor trade. All classes of trade eeenied to be experiencing a rather bad time, and the outlook tor the coining m inter was far from bright. " What struck me particularly was the enormous advance that had been made by motor-driven vehicles bince I was last in London/ said Mr Reynolds. " They absolutely pervade the ttreett. of London. There are now 8800 taxicabs registered in the nietiopolis, and they have revolutionised the means- of transit in London. The chaige for one or two persons is 8d per mile for the first mile and 6d per mile for any further distance. What is good to know is that they pay. All business re en use them : they are «> quick and comparatively cheap ; they save time. The most popular class of ' taxi ' is the brougham, with a fixed seat for two, and two supplementary collapsable seats, which hang down inside when not in use. The motor 'bus is ako to be seen everywhere." It was during Mr Reynolds's sojourn in London that M. Bleriot crossed' the

Channel in his airship. " The feat," said he, "created an enormous sensation in. the cig city. Subsequently M. Bleriot contracted to exhibit bis airship (and incidentally himself) at Selfridge's gre^t universal store^ for which he received £260 for one week. It was an enormous advertisement for the firm, which threw the show open free. It -was rushed : by ; countless thousands, who had to be handled by the police. The crowd was formed up in a three-abreast- queue, which -ex-tended-all round the block the whole day, long during" the week.' ~f had a chance "of making a close inspection of the airship, and was surprised to see what a crudelooking affair it was. In general form it is not unlike a huge bird, the motor (a* three-cylinder 20 horse-power) being placed between the two big rigid wings, which, extended 12ft on each side. The greatest width was not more than 26ft. The fan is not behind as is generally supposed, but projects forward from the motor, so is ' really the first part of the machine which' feels the air. The steering gear is a couple of small planes or wings which form tha tail of the bird. The- machine seemed capable of any amount of improvement. It could not cost much to build, and, with the plains and mea'surentents. I brought out with me^ could be constructed here at a 'comparatively small cost. Aeroplaning would not be possible in Wellington, on account of. the wind. They -wait until the weather conditions ara perfect before essaying a flight, but, given favoiirable conditions, tihey perform wonders. When I wwars r at Home th< Wrights wero giving exhibitions on Con.tinental racecourses, following the lay of the track perfectly. My opinion is tha< we will be able to fly some day just at easily as we ride a bike."