The Aeroplane

Sir Hugo Gates speaks with M. Manqué prior to take off. 

Clifton Gates Kakoy was usually a prudent man, but his reign was marked by one great extravagance. He had a long standing fascination with aviation. Clifton Gates longed for an aeroplane to visit Tamba- Tamba, but it was out of the range of the aircraft of the day.  So, in 1910, he ploughed most of his personal fortune into a scheme to bring an aeroplane to the island. Nine years had passed since Gustave Whitehead had made the first manned flight. It is hard for us to appreciate how novel the sight of the aeroplane was to the islanders.
Clifton Gates paid for the famous Belgian aviator, Georges Manqué to have one of his machines shipped to Tamba-Tamba to give an exhibition. The land that was prepared as an airstrip is actually the site of the present airport.

 Gorgeous Georges at the controls.

As well as being enthralled  by the aeroplane the islanders were also astonished by the pilot himself. M. Manqué, known as 'Gorgeous George', was in the habit of dressing as a woman and wearing make-up.
Clifton Gates' young son Harry Roy was undoubtedly influenced by the charismatic M. Manqué, as he too became a keen transvestite, one of his most noteworthy eccentricities being his frequent appearances as 'Lady Harriet'.

Georges Manqué (1880-1912) 

Harry Roy in the guise of 'Lady Harriet'