He ascended at Hesbaraques, four miles from Calais, at 4.35 amid brilliant sunshine, and with a good wind.
He was rapidly out of sight, and descended in a meadow behind Dover Castle, touching the ground heavily and breaking his propeller and doing other slight damage.
M. Bleriot's 20 horse-power machine is described as the lightest and most compact in existence.
It flew like an arrow.
The weather was calm at the outset, but a strong west wind was encountered in mid channel, and the utmost care in steering was required.
M. Bleriot received an ovation at Dover.
He returned to Calais aboard the destroyer Escopette, and on his arrival was accorded a great ovation.
He received a telegram from M. Depasse, deputy representative on the parliamentary group of aerial locomotion, heartily congratulating him as the first conqueror of the Channel.
M. Bleriot wins the Daily Mail prize of £1000.
• A story illustrating the hardships of pioneering days is recalled by an exchange, apropos of the death, at the age of 80 years, of Mr Baptiste Charler, of Okarito Forks, South Westland.
At the time of the last rush to Lake Mapourika and Okarito Forks, about 30 years ago, the deceased, well known then as "French Charlie", had the misfortune to have one of his legs broken in his claim.
As there was no medical officer nearer than Ross, it was decided by the miners on the field that Charlie should be carried to Ross on a stretcher for treatment.
A sufficient number of volunteers was soon ready for the road, the number totalling several score.
The journey occupied nearly a week, along what was then only a bridle track from Ross to Okarito.
The patient stood the journey very well, and under proper treatment was soon his old self again, and returned to the southern district, where he resided up to his admission into the Totara Hospital some time ago.
• The ladies forming the Bible Circle gave their annual tea to the inmates of the Benevolent Institution on Thursday last.
While a number of ladies dispensed the tea, others formed themselves into a party, and visited the different wards, singing hymns and part songs.
As each of the female inmates left the tea table she carried with her a fancy basket containing sweets.
Three hearty cheers were given to the ladies for their kindness. - ODT, 27.7.1909.
