The weather conditions were unfavourable, but a short flight was nevertheless obtained from a hill on the southern side of the island.
A sharp gust of wind then caught the machine, and as the steering gear could not be manipulated to full advantage in the absence of a motor, the aeroplane was brought into rather sharp contact with mother earth, and further trials will be out of the question until some broken parts have been repaired.
The builders hope to secure more satisfactory results during the week.
They are at a certain disadvantage in that the whole of the construction work has had to be done on the island for reasons of privacy.
The machine consists of a double-decked body with top and bottom plates about 6ft in width.
Extending from either side are long, wing-like projections, which give the aeroplane something of a butterfly appearance.
Elevators are attached to the front rudders and guiding gear to the back.
The dimensions of the full-sized ship are 40ft by 6ft.
Care has been taken to secure a minimum of weight, the framework being lightly constructed of wood, while canvas is used as a covering for the planes.
• It is reported in Christchurch that a party of surveyors who went out into the district in the North Island inhabited by the huia birds killed no fewer than 200 of the birds. - ODT, 8.6.1909.
