WEST COAST AERO CLUB

Grey River Argus, 27 August 1937, Page 12

WEST COAST AERO CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the West Coast United Aero Quo, the following delegates were in attendance: Messrs u. Gemmill, A. Johnston, C. Beck (Westport); B. I. Cummings (Ikamatua); F. A. Kitchingham, A. J. McDowall, L. J. Wicks (Greymouth); A. Johnston, Father O'Gorman (Hokitika); K. O. May, G. 11. Chapman, B. Osmers (Ross), Mr. J. Upjohn, of the Ross Club, was also in attendance. The Wataroa and Reefton Clubs were not represented. In the absence of the President, Mr. H. T. Parry, Mr. F. A. Kitchingham presided. Accounts paid, amounting to f 1,286 2s lOd, were approved. The reports of the Secretary and Pilot-Instructor, previously published, were read and adopted. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P.; President, Mr. F. A. Kitchingham; Auditor, Mr J. M. Bunt; Secretary, Mr H. J. Wicks.

A motion of appreciation was accorded to Mr. J. H. Brailsford, retiring secretary, for his services in connection with the foundation of the club, and as secretary. Several speakers paid tributes to Mr. Brailsford, and regret was expressed at his resignation.

Mr. Parry was accorded a vote of thanks for his services to aviation, and members emphasised the value of his pioneering work. Flying contracts, as submitted by the secretary, were approved.

The Government’s offer of the free issued of a Tiger Moth machine was accepted with thanks. It was decided to proceed with the purchase of a further Tiger Moth machine. This will increase the club’s machines to four.

Owing to lack of hangar accommodation, and capital for expenditure on further accommodation, it was decided to defer consideration, meantime, of the Aeronka J.A.P. machine scheme, whereby a company in Palmerston North proposes to establish workshops, centrally situated, and to distribute 40-borsepower, side-by-side cabin high-wing metal-frame light Aeronka machines, to clubs, on a mre basis.

It was resolved that flying rates be reduced, now that the club has available a further machine. The balance-sheet in connection with the South Island Air Pageant was approved, and it was decided that the small deficit be paid to the Hokitika Club.

A motion of appreciation was accorded to Messrs Renton and Lynn,' of Hokitika, for the trophies they donated for competition by pilots. The President, secretary, and pilot-in-structor were appointed to draw up rules governing the competition. The President referred to the approaching departure for the North Island of Mr. McDowall, and moved that the club’s appreciation of his services be recorded. He paid a tribute to Mr. McDowall, and asked him to accept from the United Aero Club a wristlet watch, as a memento of his association with aviation on the West Coast. A number of other speakers endorsed the remarks of the President, and expressed regret at Mr. McDowall's departure. In the course of his reply, Mr. McDowall emphasised that tne club had done the spade-work, in making possible the provision of facilities to enable commercial air services to be established on the West Coast. He remarked that the United Aero ' Club movement marked the first time the West Coast had been unanimous regarding any project. He thanked the speakers for their remai’KS concerning himself. It was decided to send a letter of congratulation to Mr. D. Roberts, of the Greymouth Club, who is one of those selected for short-service commissions in the Royal Air Force. Work being done in connection with the grounds of the various clubs was outlined by delegates. Mr. Chapman said that the Public Works Department was commencing work immediately, with the letting of a contract, to prepare 41 acres at Ross. Approximately £l,OOO had already been expended on the ground, and it was expected that, within tour or five months, the club would have the ground available for training. Mr. Gemmill renorted that the Westport ground was- licensed for light aircraft, and the committee was setting about the building of a hangar. It was expected that the club would be training there about November. The new ground would be made ready after negotiations had been completed between the various parties. When completed, it would be an A class ground. He could definitely say that the ground would be gone on with, and that the Public Works Department would place up-to-date machinery on the area, to carry out the work. Mr. Cummings reported that Mr. P. J. Fitzgerald, of Ikamatua, had made available an area which would give a one-way runway of 600 yards by 150 yards. The ground had been ploughed and sown in turnips, and several club members would undertake the final preparation of the area. It was resolved that a motion of appreciation be tendered to Mr. Fitzgerald, for his action in making the ground available.