COLONY'S EARLY AVIATION
(All rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved)
It is intended to give a summary of the introduction of aviation to the Colony particularly the first flight by a heavier-than-air machine ever to be made here. In these days when there is so much agitation about the linking up of Hong-kong to different air services, the early newspaper comments to some extent prophetic take on an added interest, and I shall commence this series by quoting from the South China Morning Post of November 3, 1910, which stated:-
"Early next year, if sufficient inducement is forthcoming, Hongkong may be made one of three projected centres in the Far East for the teaching and encouraging of aviation. This important information the Morning Post is able to place in front of its readers as the outcome of an interview which took place yesterday. Inquiries on the subject addressed to the Morning Post will be forwarded to the local agents of the scheme, who inform us that they will be only too pleased to meet and discuss matters with parties interested.
"Aviation has been brought to a degree of perfection which makes it possible for anyone of nerve to fly. In Europe and America hundreds of airmen, and even airwomen, are breaking all records hitherto established for time, speed, height, distance etc., and it therefore seems a matter of only a little time when the art of flying may become as common as navigating the seas. In Paris, an aviation company has been formed with the object of promoting the flying art in the Far East. At present it is normally capitalized at $50,000, and the leading man is the Marquis de Villeneuve, a well-known plucky and experienced aeronaut. The machine he uses is a Bleriot monoplane similar to that which achieved the first flight across the English Channel.
"The Marquis has placed his services entirely at the disposal of the new company, and will not only give exhibitions throughout the Far East but will conduct pilot schools in at least three populous centres. Once a certain degree of efficiency has been attained by his pupils, aviation meetings are contemplated. A new feature will thus be introduced into the sporting life of the Far East. These exhibitions are contemplated, of course, at points which will offer the greatest inducement as expenses are necessarily heavy.
Everything is to be brought from France for a beginning, but later, should a demand set in for flying machines, the construction of aeroplanes will be carried out on the spot under the supervision of specially trained mechanics.
"The centres, at present contemplated, are Saigon, Hongkong and one other place - probably Shanghai, though this has not yet been decided in the north. Saigon already possesses an aeroplane given by General Beylie nearly a year ago. Unfortunately, however, owing to excessive demands made on professional aviators, the machine has not yet given any demonstration of its capabilities and, it is to be feared, has been allowed to fall into disrepair.
"There is no doubt that Hongkong offers specially attractive features for those who navigate through space, and all that remains to be done to encourage the promotion of aviation here is to obtain the co-operation of a number of prominent citizens in the scheme and the patronage of His Excellency the Governor.
22
COLONY'S EARLY AVIATION
1
(All rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved)
It is intended to give a summary of the introduction of aviation to the Colony particularly the first flight by a heavier-than-air machine ever to be made here. In these days when there is so much agitation about the linking up of Hong- kong to different air services, the early newspaper comments to some extent prophetic take to on an added interest, and I shall commence this series by quoting from the South Shina Morning Post of November 3, 1910, which stated:-
"Early next year, if sufficient inducement is forth- coming, Hongkong may be made one of three projected centres in the Far East for the teaching and encouraging of aviation. This important information the Morning Post is able place in front of its readers as the outcome of an interview which took place yesterday. Inquiries on the subject addressed to the Morning Post will forwarded to the local agents of the scheme, who inform us that they will be only too pleased to meet and discuss matters with parties inter ested.
" Aviation has been brought to a degree of perfection which makes it possible for anyone of nerve to fly. In Euro pe and America hundreds of airmen, and even airwomen, are brea- king all records hitherto established for time s peed,height, distance etc. and it therefore seems a matter of only a little time when the art of flyign may become as common as navigating the seas. In Paris, an aviation company has been formed with the objedd of promoting the flying art in the Far East. At present it is normally captitalized at $50,000, and the leading man is the Marquis de Villeneuve a well-known plucky and experienced aeromaut. The machine he uses is a Bleriot monoplane similar to that which achieved. the first flight across the English Channel.
"The Marquis has placed his services entirely at the disposal of the new company, and will not only give exhibitions throughout the Far East but will condut pilot schools in at least three populous centres. Once a certain degree of effi- ciency has been attained by his pupils, aviation meetings are contemplated. .. new feature will thus be introduced into the sporting life of the Far East. These exhibitions are com templated of course at points which will offer the greatest in- ducément as expenses are necessarily heavy.
1910
Everything is to be brought from France for a beginning but later, should a demand set in for flying machines, the cons- tructions of aeroplanes will be carriedout on the spot under supervision of specially trained mechanics.
"The centres, at present contemplated are Saigon, Honkong and one other place- probably Shanghai, though this has not yet been decided in the north. Saigon already posses- es un aeroplane given by General Beylie nearly a year ago. Unfortuantely however, owing to excessive demands made profes- sional aviators, the machine has not yet given any demonstration of its capabilities and, it is to be feared, ahs been allowed to full into disrepair.
"There is no doubt that Hongkong offers specially attrac- tive features for those whose navigate through space, and all that remains to be done to encourage the promotion of aviation here is to obtain the co-operation of a number of prominent citizens in the scheme and the patronage of His Excellency the Governor.
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