AERO CLUB

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 13

AERO CLUB

FORMATION AT MASTERTON ADJUNCT TO WELLINGTON Dominion Special Service. Masterton, August 2. Definite steps were taken by a well-at-tended meeting in Masterton to-night to form an aero club, to be run in conjunction with the Wellington club. The meeting was convened by the Wairarapa Progress League and presided over by its president (Mr. D. McGregor). Major Isitt, Acting-Director of Aviation, was present and briefly addressed the meeting. Mr. D. McGregor outlined the activities taken by the Progress League, which at its meeting this afternoon passed a resolution that it was desirable that a club should be formed as a branch of the Wellington club. Considerable information had been collected, he said, and it seemed that the matter was largely one of landing grounds. Major 1 Isitt commenced by stating that any information he would give was purely his personal opinion. Flying clubs throughout the Empire were now numerous, and they all were operating on much'the same basis. There were two clubs in New Zealand that had been operating for over a year, and it had been proved conclusively that a club could be run on a financially sound basis. As far as commercial flying was concerned, Major Isitt quoted at length the recent developments in Great Britain, stating that one firm was carrying 2000 passengers per week from London to Paris. That flying was now safe was obvious, when it was known that the Prince of Wales had a ’plane at his disposal, while Mr. Ramsay MacDonald used aeroplanes considerably in his trips about the country. If the authorities permitted personalities such as these to use aeroplanes to that extent there could be but little danger. A wrong impression of the number of aviation accidents was given by the fact that every accident was given extensive publicity, but there were fewer aeroplane accidents than there were with motor-cars. Major Isitt outlined the requirements of landing grounds, stressing that these should not be of lesser area than 440 yards by 440 and should be capable of extension to SOO yards by 800 yards. Immediate action in aquiring a landing area would undoubtedly save expense. Mr. H. E. Hart stressed the fact that flying was now beyond the experimental stage, while it was his experience that New Zealanders had a particularly keen “air sense.” What the public wanted to know, however, was the individual cost to learn flying, and the cost of running a club and details as to hangars and acquiring machines. Mr. W. L. Free outlined the Government’s policy concerning aviation as presented by the Minister of Defence while in Masterton, and also to the Progress League’s deputation. The club required two ’planes, hangar, pilot, instructor, and ground mechanic. To reduce costs a group system had been evolved, whereby four central clubs came into being. If Wairarapa affiliated with Wellington it would bear no club maintenance costs, but would provide landing grounds. The only cost for instruction in this district would be two guineas for an ordinary member, and three guineas for a pupil member, and £3 an hour for flying instruction. A non-pupil member could be taken up by the instructor for 30s. per hour. Mr. Free moved that an Aero Club be formed in the Wairarapa, to be run in conjunction with the Wellington Aero Club. Mr. R. Russell seconded the motion. In reply to the question regarding finance Mr. Free stated that an effort should be made to enlist the support of publicspirited men in the district, while legislation would shortly be coming forward, whereby local bodies would be enabled to make donations without a poll of ratepayers. The'Auckland Club was at present running an art union, and if this proved successful, probably the Wellington Club would take a similar action. The president of the Wellington Club had pointed out that there was no reason why the Wairarapa Club should not participate. The motion, on being put, was carried unanimously and the following officials were appointed: Provisional chairman, Mr. R. Roydhouse (Carterton) ; provisional directors, Messrs. W. L. Free, H. E. Hart. R. J. Young, R. Russell, T\ Jordan, I. W. Grace, C. C. Jackson, A. B. Balfour, H. .V. Snuschall and R. H. Anker. , , A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Defence Department for the interest it had taken, and to Major Isitt. At the conclusion of the meeting 17 enrolments were accepted.