THE PURCHASE OF HENDON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10684, 30 December 1925, Page 8

THE PURCHASE OF HENDON

SETTLEMENT OF A DISPUTE. DEFENCE AND TRAINING SCHOOL. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, December 29. The purchase by the Government of Mr C. Grahame-White's property at Hendon, including the aerodrome, ends a dispute with the Treasury which has been protracted since the Armistice. He manufactured war aeroplanes on the most extensive scale, necessitating the borrowing of about £380,000 from the Government. This, however, was subject to big counter-claims in respect to war aeroplanes and other expenses. Finally, Mr Graliame-Whitet issued a writ against the Government, which was terminated' by the pi-esent settlement. The “Daily Teiegaph” announces that the Government intends to use the Hendon aerodrome as ail important home defence station • and school for airmen. Mr Claude Grahame-White, airman and aeronautical engineer, was the first Englishman granted a certificate of proficiency in flying. He started the first British flying school in 1909 at Pau. He won numerous prizes, among them being the Gordon Bennett tropin” in America. Upon his return to England he formed the Grahame-White Aviation Company, which liecame proprietors of the London aerodrome a.t Hendon. He was commissioned as Flighl>Commander in 1914, but resigned to superintend the carrying out of Government contracts for building aeroplanes.