AVIATION INTERESTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 6 October 1928, Page 4

AVIATION INTERESTS.

- FORMATION! OF A CLUB. PROPOSAL DISCUSSED. The possibilities of the formation of an Aero Club in Hawera have been, explored during tlie past few months by a band of enthusiasts whq. formed the nucleus of the proposed club. The country was investigated . with a view to securing a suitable site for landing ground. Las': evening the members of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce, discussed the question at their ordinary meeting. There were present Messrs E. Dixon (president), P. Bond, C. Freyberg, EL A. Pacey, E. B. S. Dale, F. AY. Horner and the secretary (Mr B. S. Sage). Messrs J. W. Craig and F. Latham were present also by invitation. Mr C. Freyberg refererd to the possibility of a visit from Sir John Salmond, Britain’s air chief, and said that an invitation had been sent through Mr Dickie, who had undertaken to arrango the visit, if at all possible. Referring to the proposal for a club anda landing ground, Air Freyberg explained that there were three proposals discussed. Tlie first was to foi m an Aero Club* m active operation. The conditions imposed by the Government before supplying machines free to Aero Clubs were that the latter would have to make arrangements. for repairs and upkeep and for a qualified instructor and a licensed ground engineer. This expense was estimated at £2OOO per annum apart from the land required. If these conditions were fulfilled the Government would give machines, but this could not be done at once, because the demand was ahead of the supply. Any club buying machines would be re-imbursed later when machl ines were available in the normal course ■ He added that there was a shortage I of engineers, and it might bo necessary I to send Home for them." The second proposal was to fonn a club to develop in tlie people a kind of “air sense,” and to keep the interest going so that later the formation of a club would b<j facilitated. The third was to, investigate the position, so as to see what improvements could be made to the existing facilities of the landing ground. There could, he said, be much done and the first would be the improvements to the surface <?f the land selected, and thus in- . crease the runway. The Racing Club’s oval was the likeliest spot, but one of the greatest dangers there was the presence of wires and posts. Then, he said, the club could go into the question of stocks of petrol and oil available in Hawera,. and if an engineer would b© available if required. Some bureau would be needed to receive ana give information to visiting fliers and the Automobile Association was suggest, ed, and approved in this respect. Maps of the course and the district could be prepared, showing the dangers- to be avoided, and the marks that could be picked up by fliers. An Aero Club oould be formed which would give local information at all times. The club could take up the question of aero education and could ask visiting fliers to instruct people interested in the possibilities of the air. He suggested that the Government might do something in the direction of training engineers, for many more would be required. He said that advantage had been taken of the visit of Mr Mill some time ago to* secure advice from him, and Mr Mill bad been in discussing matters and exploring the possibilities of the district with those inrcsfcctl • The chairman said that of the three schemes the* last- was movst feasible, and. he hoped the Government would assist any move made. In reply to Mr Craig, the chairman said that the president of the Racing Club had assured him the club was willing to assist. Mr Bond suggested that a sub-com-mittee should be set up to confer with . the Racing Club in the matter. Mr Freyberg considered • they should [ get the Mayor and the chairman of the Countv Council 'to work with them. Air ‘Horner said he approved of the suggestion to concentarte on eduouting ‘ the "people and improving the ground, L so that when the time was ripe they could go right ahead. I It was agreed that Messrs Dixon. : Freyberg AValldey, Horner, Craig and ■ Latham be a sub-committee to go into 1 the question with the Racing Club and: * to- get something definite to put before ■ a. meeting to be called later. A public ' meeting will be held, when.it was con- : sidered suitable a report is to be pre--1 sented to the next meeting of the chamber on November 2, which will be the 1 annual meeting. _____