CIVIL AVIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 223, 21 August 1931, Page 3

CIVIL AVIATION

WESTERN FEDERATED CLUBS. FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. The council of the Western Federate ed Flying Club decided at a meeting in Wanganui on Wednesday night to set up a sub-committee comprising Messrs A. S. Burgess (Wanganui), G. R. Spence (New Plymouth), A. J. Phillipps (Manawatu), O. Frey berg (Hawera) and D. (J. Cullinane (Feilding), to investigate club problems with a view to carrying out re-organisation necessary to put the administration, finances and general operations of the federation on a sound and efficient basis. Mr Burgess presided arid among those present were Messrs M. H. Oram, A. J. Phillipps, K. G. Chamberlain, H. E. Edmunds (Manawatu), and McLean (Feilding). The matter of re-organised administration was raised by a notice of motion from the Manawatu Aero Club. Mr Oram, in moving the resolution, stressed the urgency of economising and, to curtail expense as much as possible, every avenue had to be exploited. This could best be done by a sub-committee which, in the opinion of his club, should consist of the chairman (Mr Burgess) t and Messrs Gibbons and Walkley. Tins small committee could meet in tho centres and investigate every condition affecting flying in the different areas. The present system of administration was uneconomical, involving as it did, over-much travelling. Questions to be decided included the settlement of a federation headquarters in a central position and also tho desirability or otherwise of keeping a full-time ground engineer when every constituent club possessed men fully qualified to carry out repair and overhaul work. Mr Franklin said the sub-committee would find tile most important factors would be the financial position of the individual clubs and their membership strength. Air Walkley said the time had come when the federation was faced with stock-taking of its position. The principle of investigation as suggested was sound. The personnel and representation on the sub-committee was the question to be decided.

Dr. Buist thought each club should be represented and, on the motion of Air Franklin, the original resolution was amended and adopted in this form. Suggestions from the clubs will be considered and a report presented to the council’s next meeting. The sub-com-mittee will meet for the first time in Palmerston North.

The allocation of ’planes for tho ensuing period prompted some discussion on the restrictions imposed on training through the laying up of one or more ’planes at different periods for purposes of overhaul.

In view of this, said Dr. Buist, it seemed that the federation did not possess enough machines. He moved that it be a recommendation to the sub-committee to consider the purchase of another ’plane. A:lr Oram supported this. Some doubt was expressed as to whether the federation finances would permit of this outlay. Another point raised was the fact that tho Government had as good as promised the provision during the next year of an additional ’plane for the use of the federation.

Air Burgess said tho sub-committee could consider these factors and the recommendation was adopted. The first annual meeting of the federation was held at the conclusion of the council’s business and Air Burgess was re-elected chairman.