Such an experience, it is safe to say, had never befallen a flying man within the dominion until on Saturday afternoon, when, unknown to all but a very few, a pupil of the Canterbury Aviation Company's school at Sockburn had a decidedly unpleasant and sensational experience. On that afternoon Lieutenant-colonel Sleeman visited the Flying School, and there being a lull in the weather, he was asked by Mr C. M. Hill, the instructor, whether he would observe the flight of one of the pupils who wished to qualify for his ticket. Lieutenant-colonel Sleeman consented, and the pupil ascended to undergo his first test. He alighted safely, and the weather still holding, went up again for a second flight. Meanwhile, the clouds had gathered, and while he was up aloft a big rainstorm swept over the ground, completely obscuring the airman from the sight of those below. Nearly half an hour passed, and he did not return, whereat there was considerable anxiety expressed for his safety. Mr Mercer, assistant instructor, immediately volunteered to go out to look for the missing man, and ascended in one of the stronger machines. After travelling some time he found his quarry, who had got as far out of his course as the shore of Lake Ellesmere, where he was just preparing to descend into a stubble field. Mr Mercer then piloted the other airman homeward, intense admiration of his exploit being expressed by all who witnessed the incident. The pupil has still to qualify for his ticket, which he will do on the first calm day.
Dalmation immigrants
Scattered over the Waikato, Piako, Te Aroha, Ohinemuri, and Thames districts there are some 200 Slavs from the Austrian area adjacent to the Adriatic coast. These are mostly young men from 25 years downwards, and they are engaged principally on the drainage of swamps, farm labour, and gum-digging. Mr J. Cullen, head of the Jugoslav Organisation Office, who has returned to Auckland from the districts indicated, has been in personal touch with these Slavs inhabitants, and ascertained the direction in which each man can be most advantageously employed in the event of the Government deciding to call upon the Dalmations to undertake work for the State.
Parata campaigning
Mr H. Parata, the Government candidate for the Southern Maori seat, is conducting a vigorous campaign in the South Island. He addressed a meeting at Rapaki on Saturday night. In regard to the conscription of the South Island Natives for service abroad, he urged that compulsion should not be applied.
He pointed to their fine record, as a result of voluntary enlistment, amounting to 75 per cent, of those eligible for service. He said he considered the economic problem, as it affected the Maori race, would best be solved by self-reliant action in the form of small farmer co-operative organisations, aiming at the elimination of middlemen's profits. The candidate urged the need of improvement in educational facilities afforded to Maoris, also the conservation of the Maori language. - ODT, 20.2.1918.
