AIR-MINDEDNESS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 57, 17 September 1928, Page 10

AIR-MINDEDNESS

NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE IT Have tho pcojjle of New Zealand begun to acquire an "air-sense"? Flightliieutenant C. T. P. Ulm, one of the Tasman flyers, answered the question iv the affirmative quite emphatically at the Mayoral dinner tendered to Squad-ron-Leader C. E. Kingsford Smith and his companions on Friday evening at Blenheim, says the ' • Marlborough Express. " . Kesponding to the toast of "Our Guests," which was proposed by the Mayor (Mr. M. M'Kenzie), Lieutenant TJlm said that Mr. M'Kenzie had suggested that the people of New Zealand were not air-minded, but he thought they were. "It is a pretty stout record for Blenheim, a town ,of 5000 people, to have established an aero club already, chosen an instructor, equipped a hangar, and ordered two 'planes. It is something we'll have to throw off at the people of Australia about when we get back! "As most of you know," he continued, '' aviation is not only a business with us—it is a hobby. We like it; and we try to preach the gospel of aviation. Another reason which makes" me believe you are very air-minded in New Zealand, and will be more so, is the fact that in our opinions, although it is not a big show, your permanent Air Force is one of the most efficient units wo have bumped up against in our travels. . (Hear, hear.) That is duo to such men as Major Wilkes and Captains. Findlay and Buckley, who are our good, staunch pals. Yes, New Zealand is air-minded. Yon chaps have been good enough to say that our visit will do something for aviation in New Zealand, and we will be glad if it does." (Applause.) Squadron-Leader Smith, in the course of his reply to the toast, also very warmly congratulated the district on the progressiveness it had shown in establishing its aero club on such a sound basis. He considered that the achievement was a very fine one for such ft small town, remarking that no town of the size in Australia had shown so much enterprise. (Applause.) He wished the club every success, and believed it would have that success under the administration of such a capable airman as Captain Noel Chandler, the newly-appointed instructor. ,