On Saturday Mr Gibson, of Kelso, telephoned to us stating that at noon on Friday the school children beheld in the air a strange machine, which they described as shaped like a boat, with what seemed like the figure of a man seated in it.
The "airship" approached from the direction of the Blue Mountains, circled high over the school, and then disappeared in the direction whence it came.
The phenomenon was observed also by Mrs James Russell, of Kelso.
Our Kelso correspondent telegraphed as follows: "There is not the slightest doubt that the airship was seen at Kelso yesterday at noon.
"I have eye witnesses to prove this. It is cigar or boat shaped, and is pointed at each end.
"Those who saw it had no idea of the probable height it would be above them. It did not appear to be very long in build, but was very broad.
"The children who saw it say that it had a pontoon-shaped part above the boat and a short pole or mast in the centre.
"It flew over and past the school ground, turned round, and went back the way it came.
"It was flying along very easily, and had no trouble in turning. It was seen by at least five persons, and their statements are all in accord."
• Amended regulations for the classification of the Post and Telegraph Department are gazetted as follows: Every male officer who is 22 years of age or upwards shall receive a salary of not less than 100 per annum.
Every male officer who is married, or who is a widower with a child or children, shall receive a salary of not less than 130 per annum.
• Dr Talbot, addressing a meeting in Christchurch the other evening, said the disease called hydatids was more common in Canterbury than in other parts of the Dominion.
It really was a serious disease.
In some portions of the body it might not be of great seriousness, but when hydatids affected the internal organs it might cause a long illness, and might be difficult to cure.
The prevalence of the disease showed the necessity for all dogs being treated for tapeworm. - ODT, 26.7.1909.
