FLYING IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1247, 12 March 1914, Page 26

FLYING IN NEW ZEALAND.

LIEUT. HAMMOND AND THE LLERIOT MONOPLANE.

AVIATOR’S WORK HAMPERED.

PUBLIC WANT FLIGHT.

The present year has opened auspiciously in Australasia so far as the aviation movement is concerned, for public interest has been aroused to a remarkable degree as a result of the successful demonstrations of the conquest of the air given by the Melbourne aviator Henry Hawker in Australia and the New Zealand airmen, Lieut. J. J. Hammond and W. J. Scotland, in this Dominion. The magnificent flights accomplished by this trio of famous birdmen have proved little short of a revelation to residents of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, and have provided the main topic of conversation since the advent of the New Year. Even the “Sport of Kings” was momentarily overshadowed by the novelty of aeroplane ascents, and it is on record that no Melbourne Cup winner ever was accorded a greater ovation than that with which Henry Hawker was greeted on the occasion of his first night on the Flemington racecourse. Of equal volume was the enthusiasm created throughout Auckland when on a Sunday morning early in the year Lieut. Hammond flew on the Dominion monoplane from Epsom over the suburbs, into the heart of the city, thence encircled the warships at anchor in the harbour and returned to the starting point with consummate ease and grace. This note-

worthy flight, which was followed by a series of equally successful ascents in Auckland, including a flight with a passenger, marked the commencement of the present aviation boom in this part of the world, and presented to the public in no uncertain manner the possibilities of the aeroplane for defence purposes. The next move to be recorded on the aviation chessboard in Australasia was the return to Melbourne of Henry Hawker with his well-earned laurels, chief of which was his world-famed flight around Great Britain for the “Daily Mail” prize, while in New Zealand the flying boom broke out in a fresh place, viz., Otaki, where W. J. Scotland created a stir by making a highly satisfactory ascent in his Caudron biplane. Various flights followed in the South Island, whence Scotland shipped his biplane, the most notable of these being the aerial journey from Timaru to Christchurch. Meanwhile a deadlock ensued in Auckland so far as flying exhibitions were concerned, for though both aviator and machine have been stationed in the Northern City for the past seven weeks the public have had to suffer extreme disappointment—a regrettable state of affairs which surely calls for explanation. In the first instance, the British Government presented a monoplane, christened “The Britannia,” to the defence authorities in this country, not, we take it, to be used for exhibition purposes, but to be readily subjected to practical tests of utility

calculated to foster the aviation movement in the Dominion and enable the military au horities to gain an insight into the operation and control of the aeroplane, wnich machine is recognised by the Powers as destined to play an important part in modern warfare. Yet when we consider the present contretemps that exists in regard to the Dominion’s gift monoplane, which at the most seasonable time of the year for making flights lies in state at the Auckland Exhibition, while an anxious and greatly disappointed public clamours to see the machine in the air, there appear good grounds for an immediate rectification of this unenterprising and most unsatisfactory state of affairs. That excellent work was being accomplished by Lieut. Hammond with the monoplane no one is in a fairer position to judge than the public, who have naturally expressed indignation hat the series or brilliant flights should have been so abruptly brought to an end at such an opportune time, for with a skilled aviator in our midst and the conditions most favourable for flying there can be little doubt that a grave error of judgment is being made in not taking time by the forelock. Opportunities are indeed rare, and should be embraced without delay; particularly does this apply to matters pertaining to aviation, and the Commonwealth authorities are at present realising the gravity of their mistake in not. readily availing themselves of the monoplanes which upon arrival were allowed to lie and rot for a period of a year. It does not occur to the lay mind that the flying machine is an intricate piece of machinery that is con-

stantly in need of adjustment, and if left unattended for any length of time serious results are not improbable. This fact should be borne m mind with regard to the monoplane, which seven weeks ago was in splendid running order, but now is unfortunately being treated to a spell of inactivity. Anyone possessing any knowledge of aeroplanes cannot, congratulate the authorities on the removal of the Britannia monoplane from the Agricultural Grounds, where it was receiving constant attention, to the, Exhibition, where, it is servingno useful purpose. It is a serious matter to leave the motor unattended, for the control wires and vital parts of the machine are particularly amenable to rust, while it is a grave mistake to leave the wings on the machine for any length of time when the monoplane is not in frequent commission. The wings are always removed in the event of the monoplane being withdrawn from the field of operations, while the warping wires should be released. That this has not been done was revealed during an inspection of The Britannia on Saturday last, while close examination made it evident that the fusilage is going out of alignment. It is hard to conceive that this should be the case, and the laxity of the authorities in not availing themselves of the services of Lieut. Hammond, who so readily placed his skill and experience at the disposal of the Defence Department when the machine was first landed, should form the subject

of a public protest. A New Zealander, and one who has gained the highest honours in aviation, entitling him to the distinction of the Dominion’s premier birdman, Lieut. Hammond’s qualifications cannot escape recognition, and until he takes his position once more at the helm of the Dominion’s monoplane dissatisfaction will continue to exist, and it is safe to say that' little progress will be made in this country during the present year. His able handling of The Britannia has met with general commendation on all sides, and can be readily understood when it is mentioned that Lieut. "Hammond has during his successful career as an aviator flown 27 different types of machines in 14 different countries, extending over a period of five years, and has never met with an accident.

Great interest was centred in the Melbourne Trotti-.g Derby Stakes, of luOUsovs, one mile, which was decided at the Melbourne Trotting Club’s meeting on the Richmond Course (Melbourne) on Friday last. From an original entry of nearly 150 there were final acceptors of close upon a score. The first section for pacers in harness was won by Handi cap, with Maori Land second and Derby Chimes third. Handicap won by six yards in 2min 1534 sec. The second section for trotters in harness was won by the New South Wales representative, Lucid, which defeated Homeleigh Dick by a yard, with Onehunga third- Lucid covered the mile in 2min 25% sec, and established an Australasian record for a three-year-old filly.