AERO CLUB FORMED

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1933, Page 3

AERO CLUB FORMED

greymouth public meeting

Ail Aero Club, to be known as “The West Coast Aero Club’’ was formed at a public meeting, attended by approximately fifty citizens, in the Greymouth Borough, Council Chambers last evening. Among those present were: The Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade (Chairman). Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., Councillors F. A. Kitch. ingham (Deputy-Mayor), J. B. Kent, G. Perotti, F. F. Boustridge, Messrs P. J. McLean (President of the Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Harbour Board), A. Fairmaid (Borough Engineer), F. 11. Denton (Town Clerk), A. J. McDowall (Secretary to the Grey Power Board), and H. W. De Castro (one of the movers for the meeting). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. W. Hannan and A. H. McKane, both of whom promised all possible assistance.

Opening the meeting. the Mayor said it was very encouraging to see such a good meeting, and he noted with pleasure (he presence of so many of the younger members of the community. It showed that they like the older people realised the intense value of the project to the future of th© town. All realised what a necessity the possession of an aerodrome would mean to the town, and the existence of an active aero club to work towards the provision of the ’drome would be a great assistance. There had been some confusion, he said, as to the issue before the present meeting. The site of the aerodrome was not at all concerned ■with the meeting, which had been called for the purpose of forming an aero club. The matter of the aerodrome site had been dragging along with the Borough Council for some time now, but they were not idle and he could assure the meeting that a great deal of work was being done. It was different here from other centres, as here there was really nothing in the way of large areas of suitable land which was ready for use as an aerodrome. The Borough Engineer and officials of the other local bodies had been fossicking around, and discussion had taken place on different proposed sites. The Cobden site —an area near the beach to the north of the breakwater, distinct altogether from the Cobden Island —had been suggested and considered. There, there was an area of sufficient size for an aerodrome —experts had said it was large enough for ’planes as large as the Southern Cross —but owing to the great expense of turning it from its present rough state into a state fit for aeroplanes to use, it was considered impracticable. Later, the Taylorville site had come up for consideration, and that could be brought into operation more cheaply than the Cobden site. He mentioned these two ideas as ones which were not to be discussed ot the meeting.

“The idea of forming a club has been suggested by enthusiasts in the town, and Mr De Castro has taken a leading part in the movement. The club, if formed, will work with the local bodies to secure the aerodrome site and prepare runways, and then take over the building of hangars, the purchase or hire of machines, and provide facilities for the training of young men who wish to learn to fly. The necessity for the club is obvious if we are to keep in line with the.rest of the Dominion in this matter. We have lagged behind —not altogether by our own fault—but we have lagged, and now there is no other town of our size in the country that has not made more progress than we have in this direction.” The Mayor concluded by again emphasising the need for the aerodrome, apd the fact that the formation of the club would do a tremendous amount to create interest and help the movement along. FINANCIAL ASPECT. Mr De Castro thanked the Mayor for convening the meeting and congratulated him on his foresight in seeing the necessity for the aerodrome and the club, and appreciating what they will mean to Greymouth. Every time he had asked in Greymouth what the people were doing in the aviation line, he heard ‘-They’re dead,” “they’re doing nothing,” “they’re asleep,” and when he came to think about it, he thought, himself, “they” were weak. It was high time the citizens got together apd formed a club. In Hokitika, they had two machines, bought by private enterprise, and also an aero club, which does not function, is not incorporated, and has no machines. As soon as that club provided the flying facilities, private enterprise, realising the potentialities, got to work. Now there was a company machine there, an-

other machine owned by Mr Parry, and the threatened opposition of a £lO,OOO Christchurch company. Westport were second to Hokitika, in making the preliminary moves, and on two different occasions, two locally made machines -were tried without success. Here, in Greymouth, the landing ground was a matter for the local bodies, and they were handling it, but the matter would be hastened by the formation of a club, which could then lend its aid to the local bodies. He proposed that a club be formed and that it be called the “West Coast” Club, to embrace the whole province. If a Greymouth Club were formed, there would soon be difficulties as clubs would spring up all over the Coast soon, whenever a landing ground could be found. The ultimate result would be that an amalgamation would have to take place, and from his previous experience in similar circumstances in the North Island, he suggested that the Club be called the “West Coast” Club. From all other towns where there were landing grounds on the coast, delegates could then be invited to discuss matters with the local committee, and an executive could then be formed, with its headquarters at the place where there were most members. Mr O’Brien asked, if the club wore formed, what steps would be taken by the club to get a. machine here, and to train pilots. That, he thought, was what concerned the majority of the younger men present. Mr De Castro said it was estimated that the club would get at. least sixty members in the town at one guinea apiece. Flying members were generally charged a. fee .of £3/2/- before they were allowed to go for their lessons, and the flying fees ranged from £4 to £2/10/- a flying hour. He thought that in Greymouth a fee of £.3 or £2/10/- would be a fair one. It was hoped to get ten flying members.

Mr O'Brien: They had nine in Hokitika. We should get twenty here! Mr De Castro: But only five of those finished their course. Continuing, he said that one method of getting a machine was hiring a Government Moth at a flying-hour rate.

Again, there was one in Hokitika, I winch he knew could be got here, as he knew the owner wanted to get to Greymouth, and also he knew of a plane for sale in the North Island. However, he felt sure that if first the ground was obtained, there would be a machine here as soon as the paddock was ready. Regarding instructors, there were any amount in New Zealand. He knew of two out of work, one of whom had had 2000 hours’ flying experience. Mr O’Brien moved that an Aero Club be formed. He referred to the formation of the club at Hokitika, which club, he said was not now functioning as it ought, on account of lack of support. He found while in touch with the Hokitika Club that their idea in the first place was to have a line of landing grounds through from Wellington to South Westland. However, once the facilities were provided, private enterprise took control. He felt they would not have plane and ground here until there was an enthusiastic club functioning. Kumara were making endeavours to secure a landing ground, and the result of their first effort was that the Public Works Department was going to make a report on an area. Mr O’Brien referred in humorous vein to his first efforts at flying, but stated it was his intention when tho Grey Club was going to give it another “go.” He wanted to tell the meeting, however, that the Government was not going to give a great deal of assistance. When the Hokitika Club was formed the Government was approached for the usual subsidy to assist in the training of pilots, and none was granted. They were further asked that the Hokitika Club be included in one of the aero art unions, but this request, was not granted either. Added to the above, considerable difficulty was experienced in having some telegraph wires, which were a danger near the ground, shifted. He considered that, this club would have to be given more assistance than had been given the Hokitika Club. Whether it were better to call the club the “West Coast. Club” or not, was in his opinion, a moot, point. Hokitika had been first, in the field, and would have to be considered. However, that would be a matter for discussion. He had much pleasure in moving that an aero club be formed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Perotti.

Speaking to the motion, Mr McLean spoke of the great importance the formation of a club was to the future of aviation on the Coast. As a local body member, he could say that though progress had been comparatively slow, the local bodies had been working. Personally, he had no ambition to learn to fly, but he would do all he could for the club. He did not think there would be any parochialism among the clubs on the Coast.

The motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr De Castro moved that the club be known as “The West Coast Club.” The club would later be incorporated, he said, but if any district clubs wished to remain a separate unit, they could incorporate their own organisatioh.

Mr McLean asked if it would be possible for enthusiastic members to obtain tuition at Hokitika, while they were waiting for the landing ground and facilities at Greymouth. Mr De Castro said there was nothing to stop any local young men hiring a car and going to Hokitika to secure lessons, but the fees would go to the Hokitika Club. There was again the possibility that the weather might not be suitable for flying when they reached Hokitika, and other similar difficulties would arise. It would hardly be a satisfactory way of learning. There was no club machine on the Coast at present.

The motion was seconded by Mr Kitchingham and carried unanimous-

Application forms of proposed foundation members of the West Coast Aero Club were handed round and 45, were returned signed.

The Chairman explaned that Iho membership fee was £1 I/-, and this would entitle those paying it to membership until March 31, 1935. If a foundation member wished to become a flying member that £1 1/- would go towards payment of his £3 3/- fee. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Chairman said it had been decided to leave the office of Patron over for a. time.

Supporting the nomination of Mr Greenslade as President of the Club. Mr Kitchingham traced the activities of the local bodies in endeavouring to secure a landing ground. He thought the moment a convenient one, as the Mayor, whose nomination was before the meeting, was Mayor live years ago, when Cr. Williams first brought up the question of a landing ground. The first ground considered was the abattoir paddock, an area in the vicin-

lity of the hospital and the cemetery. (Laughter). Mr McLean: Nice and handy. (KeInewed laughter). _ ‘ Continuing, Mr Kitchingham said that the ground was then ruled out by the authorities. The Taylorville pakihi land was ruled out on account of fog, and the lands at Coal Creek considered had to be disregarded owing to their liability to flood damage, m addition to fog. Ultimately the Cobden site was considered. The Cobden island was ruled out, and discussion then centred bn the land to the noith of the breakwater. A tremendous amount of work was done there by Mr Fairmaid and his assistant, Mr Hall, but though the area was large enough and in almost every way suitable, the preparation of it would have entailed the moving of some 90,000 yards of spoil, and then the top-dressing of the area after that. It could thus be seen that such a project would have been exceedingly expensive. However, just when plans were almost completed for the calling of a meeting to go on with that, ground, it was reported to the Borough Council that the pakihi land between Coal Creek and Taylort iHe was not affected by fog to anything like the extent understood before. Plans were therefore changed and the men were then put on to that atea. They were now endeavouring to find out the extent of the fog danger, and particulars as to the draining of the ground. The drainage question was a very material one, and there were also the questions of whether grass would grow on the land, and whether it would consolidate sufficiently to permit its being used as runways. He mentioned those matters because the Mayor had taken a very active part in all the negotiations. The election resulted: President, Mr J. W. Greenslade; Vice-Presidents: Messrs J. O’Brien, M.P., and P. J. McLean; Club Captain, Mr H. De Castro; Hon. Secretary, Mr J. Brailsford; Hon. Treasurer, Mr W. Shallcrass; Hon. Auditor, ..Mr A. J. McDowall; Committee: Messrs W. Norton, F. A. Kitchingham, A. Henry. H. W. De Castro and A. J. McDowall. In closing the meeting, the Chairman said he was very pleased with the attendance and the enthusiasm shown in the project. He expressed a hope that all would go well, and that the aerodrome would soon be an accomplished fact. At a subsequent meeting of the Committee, it was decided to seek the active co-operation of all throughout the district interested in the movement, ,to further the aims of the club. It was resolved that the policy of the Committee be to engender a spirit of cooperation throughout the whole area; and that the future policy of the club be not finalised until the outlying districts have representatives on the Executive.