AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1750, 15 May 1913, Page 6

AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND.

LOCAL SOCIETY FORMED. IMPORTANT WORK BEGUN, PUBLIC APPEAL TO BE MADE.

The beginning of an important move- | mcnt in connection with the formation of ; a, Kew Zealand branch of the Imperial League had its inception in a preliminary meeting which was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening last, when tho Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke) presided over tho deliberations o£ a small company ol civilian's and military men interested m the development of aviation in New Zealand by Sew Zealand effort. Tho meeting was convened at the instance of 31r. Prank S. Amsden, who has been in receipt of certain interesting correspondence from tho secretary of tho Imperial Air Leaguo in the Old Country, where, as is generally known, the development ot aviation has been very largely stimulated by public enthusiasm and practical sup--1 port, in tho inspiring of which the lm.perial League has had a good deal to do. In addition to tho Mayor, there were present at the meeting Lieutenant-Coioiiel J. K. Cochrane (Imperial General Staff), Director of Military Operations ajid Intelligence at General Headquarters, who attended as the official representative of the General Officer Commanding - the forces (Major-General A. J. Godley, C.8.); St a ff-Sergea nt-M a jor J. F. Woodward, who, it is understood, will be detached from his duties-in the Wellington Area Group, for instruction in connection •with, the organisation of the first unit of tho New Zealand Military Flying Corps; Messrs. D. P. Fisher and E. G. Robertson, both of whom are practically interested in the development of aviation in New Zealand, Messrs. C. Fraser, L. F. Watlnns, find the Eev. D. C. Bates. No Gift Aeroplanes, AmongsC the correspondence received and read at the meeting was a letter from the Prime Minister (tho Hon. W. F. Massey), conveying an of his interest in tho subject, and asking to |>o kept in touch with tho progress of the movement, and also a letter from the secretary of tho Imperial Air League, oon.veying certain suggestions with regard to the organising of a New Zealand brancn of the league. It was suggested, inter alia, that funds subscribed by, supporters of the movement in New Zealand migut be devoted to the foundation of 'a scholar-ship-entitling tho holder to tho privileges of a course of study in the science of aeronautics, with practical instruction in aviation at some recognised school. It -was, suggested, however, that _. whatever "shape New Zealand's practical interest in itho development of aviation might take, it Should not, take, the form of. a gift aeroplane.

• , A: Difference of Opinion. I In this 'discussion which followed, the meeting was divided in its opinion as to the best means of stimulating public in- t| forest in aviation in New .Zealand. On the one side were tho advocates of an organisation somewhat similar in'constitution to the Navy League, which would have for its objects the . augment tation of tho Imperial : Aviation Fund e by a New Zealand • contribution. i Yju the other side were those who insisted that the efforts of the New Zea- -J Jand League should lie concentrated upon the development of practical avia- > tion ill New Zealand—the construction of machines, provision of Aerodromes and training grounds, instruction of pilots. ' and so on. In short, to encourage and 1 financially assist in tho creation of a 1 New Zealand Air League' of -Aviators. \ This objective was supported by the ma- : jority of those present, including Lieut.Goloncl Cochrane. Public Meeting to be Held. A resolution affirming the desirableness , of forming a New Zealand' Air League was adopted, and a provisional;committee,' with Mr. Amsden as secretary, was appointed, its members consisting of those present at the meeting, with power to add to tho number. The intention is to invito his-'Excellency tho Governor fiord Liverpool)- to become patron of the league, and the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) and Acting-Minister for Defence (Mr. Rhodes). to accept the honorary offices of president and' vice-president respectively. A further meeting of the committee is to lie held, to arrange for the.holding of a public meeting, at which his Excellency the Governor will bo asked to preside. Objects of. the League. ' Tho principal objects of the Aerial teagub of the British Empire aro as follow :— . To encourage and stimulate the invention and manufacture of aerial craft and things appertaining thereto. 'To disseminate knowledge and _ spread information showing the vital importance to tho British Empire of aerial supremacy upon which its commerce, communications. defence, and its very existence must largely depend. To use every constitutional means to about the obiects for v:hio.h the league is established and to invite tho support of men of all shades Vjf opinion throughout tho Empire. To -promote information on the subject nf' aerial navigation by lectures, discussions, hook«, 'correspondence with public Ixultes or otherwise, and to encourage nnel promote the study of aerial, navigation, and'for such purposes.to organise' competitions and to grant donations on mic'n terms as may from time to timo bo prescribed of rewards or other distinctions. . To purchase, take on lease, or in exchange. hire.' or otherwise acquire a!'}' real and personal estate .which may be deemed necessary or convenient for any of* the of the league, orovided that in case the league shall (Jes.ire to hold more land than law shall for the time being permit it to hold without license .of"tlx) Board of Trade, such license shall be obtained. To cvnstruct, maintain, and alter any houses, buildings and works necessary or convenient for the purposes of the league. - , ~ To take any gift, of property, whether subject to any special trust or not, for any one or more of tho objects of the league. To take such stons by personal or written appeals, public meetings, or otherwise .as may from time to time be deemed expedient for the purpose of procuring contributions to the funds of the league in the shape of donations, annual subscriptions, or otherwise. To mint and publish -anv newspapers, periodicals, books '>r t leaflets that the lensfuo may iliink desirable for tus promotion of its objects.