AERIAL TRANSPORT

Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 20

AERIAL TRANSPORT

OTAGO CLUB'S ACTIVITIES The future of aviation m New Zealand was almost important reature of cue many speecnes delivered at a social tunc cion neld m the foresters' Hah, Green Island, last evening, when the auvent ot the gas extension to Green island was oeieorated. “ The formation of the Utago Aero Club marked a definite step m transportation,” stated Mr F, d. Williams, engineer to the Green island Borough Council, in proposing the toast of “ The Otago Aero dub.” Green Island, he said, was very fortunate in having the ground for tue proposed aerodrome within the borough. The Green Island Coimcil ? in conjunction with the City Council, had done its best in the movement, which he considered was a very progressive one. From an engineer’s point of view, the club and those concerned bad made a great choice in regard to the site for an aerodrome.

Most ol those present would realise the great importance an aerodrome would be to the district, said Mr H. M. Mackay (secretary of the Otago Aero Club), in replying to Mr Williams. Great efforts had been made by the club in securing a suitable piece of land, and they all realised what a valuable site they now held Principally through the gift of Mi C. Todd the club held this land. Originally the club had secured the ground, but its interest would have expired within a few days had Mr C. Todd not made the' wonderful gift. Mr Mackay hoped that consideration would be given to the drainage question. The club depended n great deal on a drainage scheme for the improvement of its site. Another question which would have to b< given serious consideration was the safety of the public. A good road leading to the aerodrome would have to be constructed. In this direction the Taieri County Council had offered its assistance.

There was no doubt, he continued, that aviation had a great future in New Zealand People to-day seemed to regard flying as a very dangerous business. • He could assure them that with an efficient and capable pilot travelling by air was every N bit as safe as travelling by rail, motor, or any other kind of modern transport. He referred to the gift of £IO,OOO by Sir Charles Wakefield to eroourage flying among children in the Old Country. Sir_ Alan Cobham had also offered his assistance in giving children a chance to go aloft. _ As an instance of the safety of flying, ho referred to the British Imperial Airways, which covered thousands upon thousands of miles yearly with very few casualties. If they looked at a map they would find Germany leading the world in aviation Transport lines had been established in cverv part of the country. Practically the same progress had been made in France and the United States Great Britain was lacking in this re■;nect and it sho’dd not be so. declared ' T r Mackay. (“ Hear, bear.”) The Otago Aero Club had just de ‘ded to appoint an organiser to raise nonev to improve tbo gren-ds -f«r H’o -'erodrome. .and he boned they wenh l receive the support that, the nroiect was re"Pn entHWl to. The tm-e w n * not far dis+ant "-lieu a pennon wo-pld be able to have supper at the Pluff. rest in Dunedin overright, and have breakfast in Wellington Before concluding, he wanted to thank the mayor and Councillors of Green Island for the assistance they had given the club.