AEROPLANES AT FOXTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 113, 9 April 1930, Page 2

AEROPLANES AT FOXTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, April 9. Foxton was given a pleasant surprise on Tuesday when four aeroplanes paid an unexpected visit to tho town. Tho aviators comprised Captain Mercer, piloting a Gypsy Moth, with Mr R. S. Taylor, of Christchurch, as passenger; Captain and Mrs Stedman, of Wellington, in a new Gypsy Moth; • Miss Aroha Clifford (Christchurch) piloting an Avro Avian with Mrs W. Richmond, of Hastings, as passenger; and Miss E. Bennett in command of another Moth with Mr F. Dix, also a qualified pilot, both members of tho Marlborough Aero Club, Blenheim. ■ All machines made perfect landings about mid-day. After lunch they refuellod and left at 2.25 p.m. for Hawera. In conversation with the Standard s representative Captain Mercer said that he was particularly anxious that the South Island pilots accompanying him should land at Foxton because he considered it an excellent ground which they would possibly find very useful. When ’planes were unable to get in to Wellington Foxton was always safe. . _ , . When it was mentioned to Captain Mercer that tho Foxton Chamber of Commerce possessed plans of a hangar which would be suitable for erection on the beach, ho said that such a building would be of great assistance to fliers. Every year more people were taking aviation up and owing to ita situation Foxton should bo very suitable as a calling in place. It was an ideal refuelling place for ’planes crossing tho Strait and Foxton should use all its endeavours to have a hangar erected at the beach in which could be stored a few tins of petrol for tho use of visiting ’planes. All the other visiting pilots expressed the opinion, that the ground was excellent and small machines would have no difficulty in landing in almost any direction on , tho hard sand. It was also easily located from the air. Prior to his departure Captain Mercer said that he intended calling in on, his way back on Monday and made arrangements for tho refuelling of tho ’planes prior to their departure on tho last log of the return journey across tho Strait. Captain Mercer’s ’plane is easily distinguishable in tho air as it is painted rod along the body.