AERO CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1939, Page 4

AERO CLUB

HOKITIKA' MEETING. Maintaining the attendance of the two previous meetings, 'the Hokitika Aero Club held its September monthly meeting last evening. Mr H. T. Lawn presided, and in opening the meeting, touched upon the effect of the unsettled conditions overseas, insofar as it may affect the completion of the hangar and Club rooms. Members generally agreed with the president’s views, and the opinion was expressed that some difficulty may be experienced in raising the necessary finance and obtaining supplies of material.

Mr Lawn said : “The situation would be entirely unsatisfactory if the hangar was partially completed after the debenture monies have beefi spent, and before the building was sufficiently far advanced to be revenue-producing. But at the same time,” he concluded, “I am ,as anxious as any member to see the structure completed at. the earliest possible moment.” The secretary stated tfhat lie would be opposed to'any movement to delay the construction of the hangar, and although the international situation was disturbing, it was surprising, to see that members were not .more anxious to complete the Club rooms, irrespective of all the difficulties. Since the hangar was first started, difficulties had presented themselves, but to fall down on such an important venture after £3OO had already been spent should be out of the question. Messrs H. B. Preston and G. Key supported the secretary’s views, and mentioned the possibility of a squadron being placed at Hokitika for coastal defence measures.

If that eventuated, as undoubtedly it would, Mr Preston was of the opinion the Club rooms would be an asset to the Government. If then, they were only partially completed, the GovernMaintaining the attendances of the mont would probably take control of them, and the question of receiving sufficient remuneration to meet the financial obligations would be a very small matter from the Government’s viewpoint. After considerable discussion, it was resolved to defer the completion of the structure until such time as an assurance that materials and finance would he available and official approval to proceed, had been obtained. A special meeting to consider the position will he called immediately a reply lias been received from the authorities.