The article below was published in the daily newspaper West Coast Times, New Zealand, page 3, August 5, 1909.
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(BY TELEGRAPH -- PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) FEILDING, August 4.- A mysterious light in the sky became visible from Feilding last night. It was seen in the eastern sky about 9.30 and is described as being very brilliant, but it gradually floated away out of sight. The opinion of those who did not see it is that it is the planet Mars which has been very brilliant at rising lately.
NAPIER, August 4. -- The town had an attack of aerialitis last night, a mysterious light being visible in the heavens shortly after 7.30 and thence forward for a couple of hours at varying intervals. It hovered in the Eastern sky in the early part of the evening, but later moved westward and was finally seen due north.
NELSON, Aug 4. -- Mars, in conjunction with the prevailing "airship fever," was responsible for a good deal of excitement in Nelson last night. Mars now approaching in close proximity to the earth, scintillated with unusual brilliance, giving some observers the impression that the phantom airship reported from various parts of the Dominion, was contemplating a descent. The news was carried to the theatre, where the Citizens' Band bazaar was in progress and the building was rapidly emptied. This incident may possibly explain some reports where the airship is deduced from the appearance of unusual lights.
