ANNUAL MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1937, Page 6

ANNUAL MEETING

HOKITIKA AERO CLUB. The annual meeting of the Hokitika Aero Club was held in Mclntosh's club rooms at 7.45 p.m. on Wednesday ’ the loth, Mr P. L. Renton presided. The minutes of the previous annual meeting were circulated, read land received.

The outward correspondence was approved and the inward correspondence received. . It was pleasing to note that the aerodrome, had been again grafted a commercial license by the Controller of Aviation, for operation of aircraft of

and up to the De' Tlavifland type 80 (Rapide Dragon). The secretary (AD J. Houston) presented the annual balance sheet and report up to March 3fst, 1937. The credit balance, after a deduction of 10 per cent, on the club’s [loperty, was £22/10/10 and this was carried forward for the coming year. President’s Report, The President, (Mr P. L. Renton) said it gave him much pleasure to present his annual report to the members of the club. The dub's property was in excellent order and the grounds Under the Public Works Department were rapidlv nearing a state of perfection. He briefly contrasted the conditions as they were a few years ago when flying was possible only in the best bt weathers and winds, but now the airport compared equally with any commercial airport in New Zealand. A very powerful receiving and transmitting set had been installed and aircraft throughout New Zealand as well as Eastern Australia could be controlled. There also was the future possibility of a radio beacon being established in connection with the present set and this would f ur " ther enhance the facilities of the club. The year although it had not been a very energetic one had resu 1 ted financially sound and he was pleased to observe that the coming season visualised excellent prospects. Delegate’s Report.

The past president of the Western Federated Club (Mr H. T. Parry) said it afforded him much pleasure in placing before the members the results of the conference held in Wellington with the Minister of Defence and the New Zealand Aero Club. It appeared that the Government was making a very strong effort to assist the clubs financially and materially, and they had al-, ready offered to the federation the latest training machine. a Tiger Moth. This machine was a two-seater biplane powered .by a Gipsy inverted Major engine developing 130 h.p. The machine was of particularly strong construction, the fuselage of stressed metal and the wings of spruce, wire braced, staggered 18” and swept back. The appearance was extremely clean and strength was apparent in all departments. The power plant developed 130 brake h.p. at 2,350 r.p.m. and consumed 03 gallons of petrel per hour at 85 per cent of top speed. To handle in the air the craft performed easily and all noi> mal functions wore possible with a minium of pressure on the control column. The flying speeds at 5,000’ were top of 100 and stalling of 43, a considerable range of 03 m.p.h. In conclusion he emphasised the future prospects of the club, as the possibility of another Tiger Moth was assurred if finance could be arranged and also the new' Aeronaca making a total of four machines. three distinct types on which the club could train its pupils. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—

Patron, Jas. O’Brien M.P. President, Father O’Gorman. Vice-presidents, Messrs P. Benton, J. J. Mclntosh, J. S. Langford and H. T, Parry. Club captain, A. Johnson; vice Club captain, H. Lawn. Secretary, L. H. Parry. Executive committee, Airs J. Langioru, Aliss A. Mclntosh, Alessrs H. T. Parry, H. Preston, J. Templeton and J Stuart. Hon. auditor, P. L-. Benton. It iva s resolved that the ordinary monthly meetings bo held on the first Monday of every month; that lectures be arranged by the committee for monthly meetings; that a hangar site be obtained and sketch plan and estimates be drawn up for the erection of a new hangar of entrance 40ft x 10ft., sarked with iron sides arid roof; that a similar proceedure be adopted to alter the present hangar so as to house a new Tiger Moth; that the Federation be approached by a delegation to settle definite days when the training plane would be in attendance at the Aerodrome. That the subscription for the year remain unaltered and the secretary accept and enrol new members.

That the Federation be written as to the present position of the Civil Reserve Pilots. The members and officers of the Club took this opportunity to heartily thank the many willing helpers and donors, and to specially thank the Controller of Aviation and his efficient staff, the Public Works Department and their officers, the ‘'Guardian” for editorial space and Air Travel for the many little concessions which had expedited the Club’s work. They also offered congratulations to Squadron-Leader Gibson on bis promotion to that rank. At 10.15 p.m. the meeting rose with a vote of thanks to the chair.