AIR PAGEANT AT CROMWELL

Evening Star, Issue 21581, 29 November 1933, Page 5

AIR PAGEANT AT CROMWELL

[From Our Gorresco.vdext. ] It was fully demonstrated on Saturday that Cromwell possesses a landing ground for aviation purposes that would be envied by any town in New Zealand, and the Cromwell Aero Club is to be congratulated on the financial success of tho pageant held there on Saturday. In co-operation with the Otago Aero Club, the Cromwell body staged the pageant, in an effort to foster the spirit of air-mindedness and to raise funds to improve the aerodrome. From the latter point of view the function must have been an unqualified success, but from the former the air-minded-ness of the public was sufficiently keen to have led it to expect something more than a mere money-making venture. Keen disappointment was expressed on every hand and a general feeling of dissatisfaction was freely voiced by a very large section of the big crowd who paid for admittance at the gates. The pageant was badly organised and there was a complete absence of many of tlve attractions which had been advertised, despite the fact that the day was perfect, and that from the point of view of the aviator, conditions were ideal. A programme of events for trophies presented by the business people, officers of the club, and the club, was disposed of during the afternoon. Winners of these events were as under:— Landing Competition.—Pilot T. Freeman (Otago), the club’s cup; Pilot D. Grant (Cromwell), the miniature cup presented by Mr K. M'Kenzie. Bombing.—Pilot J. H. Stephenson (South Otago). Messrs Stumbles and Son’s trophy; Pilot R. J. Bell (Cromwell), Mr L. J. Anderson’s trophy. Zero Hour.—Flight-lieutenant E. G. Olsen (Otago). Mr J. R. Munro’s trophy: Pilot Grant (Oamaru), Mr B. R. Cox’s trophy. Most Progressive Local Pilot.—Pilot Percy Bell (Cromwell), Mr R. Congalton’s trophy. Consolation Prize.—Pilot Vickery (Southland), Mr A. W. Johnson’s trophy. Mr W. Jelly’s trophy went to Pilot M'diiskey. For services and assistance rendered to the club and the pageant. Flight-lieutenant Olsen received Messrs Jolly and Sons’ trophy. Similar recognition for support extended from their club was made to Flight-lieutenant Mercer (Mr A. W. Johnson’s trophv) for Canterbury Club, and to Pilot Finlayson (Mr j. Grant’s trophy) for the Southland Club.