CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2576, 10 August 1909, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must bo distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opiu toils of its correspondents. All letters must be legibly written and inscribed on one side of the paper only, otherwise they will not be published. *An asterisk at the foot of a letter indicates chat some portion, has been excised.]

THE AIRSHIP IN GISBORNE. [To thu Edit on.] Sir, —Knowing that the public are very mv:.fin interested on the subject of aerial ships and aeroplanes, and after reading tho very delightful articles anent' them in the southern papers, more especially that in the Otago Witness, which not only graphically describes tlie-in, but gives actual sketches of tho air-ships seen, I think I should not be fulfilling my duty as a citizen of this great and beautiful Dominion did I neglect to give a veracious account of my experience on Saturday night last. I was proceeding from my home to town on Saturday evening in that free, independent manner that I have observed to be customary in Gisborne, keeping neither to the right or left of tho footpath and making way for none, excepting the three prams abreast that elbowed,me into the road, and at the same' time enjoying the lovely starlight night, when I suddenly noticed one of the stars to be moving, and on carefully observing it, came to the conclusion that it was an air-ship and inhabited. It appeared to hover over the railway station and then passed over the town towards Kaiti at a fair speed, but- not too fast to prevent the occupants from having a good view of tho town and making notes of various tilings that would have to be considered in time of war, such as the depth or otherwise of the water in the river, whether our only gun-boat, the John Townley was armour-plated, the quantity of frozen meat in the freezing works, the amount of gold in tho banks, the number of motor cars, the most suitable place to drop an explosive bomb to wake tire people up, etc. As -after mature consideration 1 concluded that it was an air-sliip reconnoitring for a possible enemy, 1 hailed it in tho German and several other languages, but received no reply, so there’s no doubt my conclusion was right and that it is- probably the same great painted air-ship. lam quite sure it was black, so it may not he black as it was painted, and manned by a crew of two, that was observed lately near Otago. From what has passed I certainly think wo should he prepared to resist invasion, the John Townley might be armourplated and when not digging out the channel in such an efficient manner, might, patrol between the breakwater and the groyne with lights out, and should a hostile cruiser attempt to enter let her be grabbed at once. After making notes re the aerial ship I proceeded to town and made several enquiries, but no one had seen the airship, and this more than ever impressed on my mind, that it was my duty to make public the facts. Several people pooh-poohed the idea, and suggested it was an air-balloon, or that the Masonic hop beer had been too strong. Had the latter been the case I should probably have seen two air-ships, but there was certainly only one. Should anything further re air-ships come before my notice I shall *be happy to inform you. I am, etc.,

“SENALPOREA.” Gisborne, August 9th.