Charge at Civic Reception to Guy Menzies

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 105, 28 January 1931, Page 7

Charge at Civic Reception to Guy Menzies

Sir, —In your columns of to-day appears an article dealing with the council’s charge at the Rongotai Aerodrome on the occasion of the recent arrival of Mr. Guy Menzies. It is only fair to the council to point out that for this particular day the aerodrome was leased to the Wellington Aero Club, who had to pay the nominal sum of £1 for the right to the ground for the day, and at the same time were authorised to make a charge for admission in the usual way. The object of doing this was to provide a fund to assist in the expenses of this intrepid aviator, and as a result' of the moneys received o cheque for £25 has been handed to Mr. Menzies. The Aero Club made nothing whatever out of the reception and the Wellington Aero 'Club feels when this explanation has been offered that the members of the public who were asked to pay 1/- will not feel that they have been imposed on .in any way. As a matter of fact, the charges nt the aerodrome are heavy, aud the club are experiencing the greatest difficulty in carrying on, as a result of the rent ami other charges that they have to pay to the council, but feel that in this particular instance the council are perhaps being asked to take the blame for something for which they are not responsible, hence this explanation. . I would also mention in. passing that the aerodrome was open without charge during the afternoon of the day on which the reception was held, without any charge to the public, and a large number of people took advantage of the opportunity of inspecting the grounds .and the planes.—l am, etc., H. B. BURDEKIN, Secretary, Wellington Aero Club. Wellington, January 27.