ADVANCEMENT OF FLYING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 November 1930, Page 5

ADVANCEMENT OF FLYING

GAUGE OF COUNTRY'S PROGRESS. OSCAR GARDEN’S OPTIMISM. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. Admitting that he was too much of an optimist when he set out on his (light Mr. Oscar Garden.addressed the Optimists’ Club where he was, the guest of honour at luncheon to-day. “I must have been bom an opti mist,”- said the aviator in acknowledging the reception which had been given him. “In the first place I was very optimistic in hoping to fly to Australia, to sav nothing of New Zealand, before I had learned to pJlot an aeroplane, but my instructor was not quite so optimistic as I was, judging by some of his remarks when I made a dud landing.” He thought that the- company which had laid down his supplies en route had been optimists, he added. “I am glad to sav that optimism and the “Kia Ora” brought me through 0.K.,” he concluded in jocular mood. Captain F. W. Haig recalled the ■ earlv days of aviation. Anyone who : went up was not expected to get down safely, lie said. Pointing out that time was when an aeroplane was looked upon as a mystery like electricity, and income tax, " something which science did not know very much about, he said that soon tliev had learned that pilots were quite ordinary fellows as they could see -by looking a-t Oscar and himself. “A nation’s progress is judged bv its means of communication and transportation, and to keep up the prestige of the British nation we must go ahead with our aviation development.” he said. Referring to the aero club movement Captain Haig remarked that the . instructor held a very important position. He had a definite influence in the building of the character of the young people.