GREY AERO CLUB

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1935, Page 7

GREY AERO CLUB

ANNUAL REPORT. The Committee of the Greymouth Aero Club will present the follow - ' ng report at the annual meeting this evening:— Membership: The present membership of the Club is—Financial members 102, unfinancial members 39. At present we have four Pilot members, whilst wo have more than 20 members who have intimated their willingness to take up flying as soon as facilities are provided. We must offer our congratulations to Mr H. W. de Castro for obtaining his “A” endorsed passenger license, and to Mr A. J. McDowall for obtaining his “A” license during the year. Flying Facilities: The main object of the Club is to promote the interests and to foster the spirit of aviation in the community. Greymouth has lagged behind other town s as regards aviation owing to the fact that it had no suitable area handy to the town which could readily be adapted for the purposes of an aerodrome. Now after protracted searching and work by the local bodies, a ground at the end of Preston Road has been secured and approved of by the Offi-cer-in-charge of aerodrome construction in New Zealand. With an Air Service operating from YTellington to the West Coast in the near fu‘ure, if Greymouth wishe s to be included in the itinerary, it must provide flying facilities.

Training; West Coast United Aero Chib (Incorporated), which is composed of the six constituent Clubs of Greymouth. Reefton, Westport, Hokit’ki. South Westland (Ross), and Ikamatua, has a training plane due this month and hag called applications for the position of Pilot Instructor This means that training will commence almost immed'ately, though unfortunately until we have a ground available all training will have to be done from Ikamatua or Hokitika grounds. Hangar and Club Rooms: Your Committee has had plans drawn up and secured the lease of a site adjacent to the proposed Blaketown Aerodrome for the erection of a modern hangar with club rooms, instructor’s room, and workshop attached. Annual Ball: A ball was held during the year and was voted to be the most successful ball of the year. The handsome profit of £35 5s lid was realised, and vour Committee is of the opinion that this ball should be .made an annual event.

Finances: As may be seen from the balance sheet, the Club is in a strong position financially. Your Committee has conserved carefully the funds of the Club with a view to erecting the hangar and servicing facilities at the Aerodrome. The Committee, however, makes a strong appeal to all unfinancial members to pay *their subscriptions; by doing so they are helping not only the Club in particular, but also helping Greymouth generally to reap the benefits of reguln’- commercial and air taxi services to ‘he Coast.

Resignation; It is with, deep regret we record the resignat’On of our Club Captain. H. W. de Castro, who has left the district on transfe" Io Auckland. Avia 4 ion on the and the Greymouth Aero Club in particular

owe a deep debt of gr«ritude to him

and your Committee proposes tha he be made an Honorary Lif" Member of the Club. Thanks: Our thanks p- du* 1 to the press and to pH local ’• d>e‘- of the district for the’r unflagph’fr int ’-est in aviation p”<l their untiring work and promise of financial assistance towards providing an aerodrome for the district.—F. T. Thorpy. Hon Secret nr v.