’PLANE IN GISBORNE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10729, 29 October 1928, Page 5

’PLANE IN GISBORNE

MR. DOUGLAS MILL ARRIVES IN MOTH. DROPPED IN ON WAY TO AUCKLAND. TOWN SHOULD HAVE AIRCRAFT , FACILITIES. HINTS TO LOCAL BODIES. Mr. Douglas Mill, the well-known Auckland airman, in his Moth ’piano surprised Gisborne residents by landing on Waikanae Beach about midday yesterday after flying from Hastings, He' made a fairly fast trip, averaging from 70. to 80 miles an hour, the journey occupying an hour and ‘2l minutes. He hopped off at Hastings at 10.40, the flying conditions being excellent over the whole trip, and concluded the stunt with a perfect landing on th© sands at noon. His airline to Gisborne traversed over the back of Napier, skirting along the coast until five miles the other side of Wairoa, where ho turned inland, north of the southern township, to Morere, thence across the bay to Waikanae beach. Mr. Mill said that his trip to Gisborne was 'in no way premeditated. Ho had intended returning up the other coast to Auckland, but suddenly adopted the idea of dropping in on Gisborne. He successfully achieved that objective without the general public being aware of his coming until he landed, and even then fhe majority only heard of it second-hand which proved that an aeroplane could land in a town just as inconspicuously as could a car arrive on a Sunday. The few people on the beach were astonished at the airman’s arrival and manifested much interest in the machine. Mr. Mill, however, was taking no risks of damage by interference with liis machine, which with wilngs folded, was pushed down Grey street, and housed in a store there behind closed doors. The importance of Gisborne, on account of its isolation and geographical position, making provision for an airport, was stressed by Mr. Mill. Ho pointed out that the aero chit's, now being formed in a number of centres were of little use without airport facilities, there being nothing that a number of young men forming the nucleus of the club .could do without the ground for landing. He strongly urged the Borough Council to display foresight by obtaining _ options on properties that ivere suitable for an aerodrome. The properties should be clear of trees, flat, and at least .500 yards square. Whilst the council might think the move premature he desired to assure them it was not, for if they delayed three or four years they would then have to pay the owners’ prices for the land, winch would be considerably higher than at * present. On the other hand, if the council secured an option there would be no need to develop the ’drome. I*' could Vie kept grazed as at present, until the time came for companies to undertake .the development of commercial aviation. ... ~ Mr. Mill added in emphasising the advantage of an airport, that previously to this visit he had intended flying to Gisborne from Auckland with a lawyer as a passenger hut, being ignorant of the fact that there was any landing ground beyond \\ aikanue "beach, where, he would have to depend on wind and tides lie had been compelled to abandon the procouncil bad displayed admirable foresight lm providing; camping grounds for touring motorists, ’ rcmarked Mr. Mill, “why not an airport for visiting airmen?” In providing camping grounds for visiting motorists it had boon realised shat considerable desirable traffic was attracted to the town which had benefiteed thereby. In a few years the air men would want facilities so that they could land in their ’planes and have them securely locked up from the public’s interfering fingers. “People,” he said.! “do not seem to realise' that ’planes are very fragile and they cannot keep tneir hands off.” It was tantamount to handling and pointing all over another man’s coat to handle Ins ’plane, said Mr. Mill. Airmen who owned their own machines would not corn© ■ to- Gisborno until facilities were provided so that they could land and lock up their ’planes in safety. A Motli could be housed in a store with a roof a little higher than an ordinary motor garage. A hangar capable of" accommodating a Moth, could he erected on the ’drome ground tor £5, and this was all the airman owning his own ’plane desilred. to ensure that it was safe from the public s souvenir hunting. Mr. Mill stated that if lie could i.e of any 1 service to the council or other bodies interested in providing an airport for Gisborne bv giving data as to what was being done in England and America, he would be only too pleased to do so. Mr. Mill intends to stay here a few days before hopping off for Auckland.