BOY AEROPLANISTS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12498, 26 March 1909, Page 4

BOY AEROPLANISTS.

The achievements of Mr Wilbur Wright, Mr Farman, and other leading aeroplanists have fired the youth of France with a desire to i.'-utnte their exploits, and ir many s'chopJs and colleges the boj;s have abando md the old-fashioned kite and are. devoting their spare time and pocket money to making model aeroplanes. The pupils of the Lycees Carnot, Janson, De Sailly, and St. Croix are all enthusiastic aeroplanists, and some of the masters have offered prizes varying from eight shillings to thirty-two shillings for the aeroplane that flies furthest. At St. Omcr the boys have joined a local athletic cliib, and hope soon to possess a "planeur" or "glider," with which experiments will be made on a ' piece of ground adjoining the football field. Boys who can afford it usually purchase a model '..'biplane" about five feet long, driven by elastic, and capable of flying thirty yards.

Over £400,000 were spent in New York on the recent New Year's festivities.

It is officially stated that the sum of £20,000 was advanced for the ransom of Kaid Sir Harry Maclean, captured by Raisuli, and that £5500 was advanced for the ranson of Mr R. Abott, captured by brigands at SaIcnica.

The secret of the authorship of the much discussed play, "An Englishman's home." is out. "A. Patriot" is Major Guy dv Maurier, brother of Mr Gerald dv Maurier, and son of the author of "Trilby." He has previously written several trifles for the stage. He took part in the' South African war, serving in the Transvaal, Capo Colony, and the Orange River Colony. In August. 1901, he was appointed to command the 20th battalion of Mount-" ed Infantry, and retained the position until May, 1902. His services gained for him special mention in despatches, the Queen's medal with five clasps, and the Distinguished Service Order. Discussing his brother's play, MiGerald dv Maurier said : "It has been suggested that less than justice has been done to the rolunters. I should like to point out that my brother never intended to attack them on the score of their courage, but levelled his satire against the system of which they were, ike victims."

' • ' i From Los Angeles, California, comes the interesting announcement that Miss Fanny Bixby. who is the daughter of a well-known Californian millionaire, and a graduate ofWellesley College, Massachusetts, has just been appointed to a post as "policeman" by the town authorities at Long Beach, a beautiful watering place on San Pedro Bay. It is understood that the appointment has been made at Miss Bixby's own request, it*being her desire to devote herself to social work amongst women, under official auspices. The work will consist chiefly in seeking out and trying to re form wayward and fallen girls.

A Paris police station was invaded by a young lady, an old gentleman, a small dog, and the conductor and 24 passengers of an omnibus. The old man (says the "Daily Express" telegram) had been sitting next to the young lady, who had the small dog in her muff. "I would give half a forhine," he said, "to be in your little dog's place." "It would be the right place for you," said the lady, "for I am taking him to have his ears cropped." Her reply led to high . words, and the passengers joined in, a freengnt ensued, and the entire party went to the police station, where all the names, including that of the dog were duly noted. The omnibus had to wait for its conductor, and arrived at its destination two hours late.