MANAWATU AERO CLUE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 268, 12 October 1932, Page 10

MANAWATU AERO CLUE

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of tho Alanawatu Aero Club was held last evening, Mr M. H. Oram presiding over a large attendance. The balance sheets for the period ended February 28 showed a loss of £431, most of which represented the club’s share of the loss suffered by the Western Federated Flying Club during the time the club was associated with that body. The period March 1 to .September 30 also showed a loss of £3lB, hut as the first few weeks of that period were not fully productive owing to lack of machines and other causes, tire figures did not represent the average returns. Moving tho adoption of the annual report and balance sheet (already published), the chairman said the period dealt with was considerably more than twelve months. The club had been unable to function at first as an independent unit, and it had joined the Western Flying Federation. Energetic support by business men who subscribed capital had enabled the establishment of the Milson aerodrome. Jointly with tho Hawke’s Bay and Feilding Aero Clubs, the club had participated in an art union which had had a very gratifying financial result. Machines were purchased, first a reconditioned Avro-Avian and then a Gypsy Motli in first-class condition which was a remarkably good investment. The fitting of air wheels had increased its safety and reduced depreciation. After a halting start the club should bo able to look forward with assurance and hope to the future. Individual differences would have to he sunk lor the welfare of the club, which had bright prospects. Discussing the loss shown in the bal-ance-sheet, the chairman stated that during the period of association with the Federation the whole of the training fees went to that body, which paid the instructional costs. Since March, when tho club had been operating; on its own—a crucial period—there had been a net loss of £3lB. He did not propose to minimise the seriousness of such a position in seven months in a club with limited finances. There were mitigating features, however, as for a time there was not a ’plane operating which would return substantial revenue. During that period £llß had been expended on repairs and maintenance, hut much of that might justifiably have been charged to capital account. Some £B(S 10s had been allowed for depreciation, but the machines were more valuable now than when purchased. Furthermore, these months covered the winter period of operations. Revenue should increase with the advent of better weather. Very few subscriptions had been collected and the advisability of an extended membership drive should bo considered. There was a source of revenue in an active campaign of that nature.

The motion for the adoption of- the report was seconded by Mr H. F. Edmunds and carried.

It was pointed out that outstanding subscriptions amounted to about £7l'. Explaining the delay in calling the annual meeting, the chairman stated that it had been due to the unsettled questions, first of all, of the formation of a national flying service with headquarters at Palmerston North, secondly, the realisation of the art union proceeds, u.nd, thirdly, the proposed formation of an airport board.

Officers were elected as follow for tho ensuing year: —Patron, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.; president, Mr AY. A. Waters; club captain, Mr H. C. AA’alker; vice-captain, Mr C. Freyberg; lion, treasurer, Mr R. H. Spencer; committee, Messrs H. E. Edmunds, G. AV. Dixon (pilot), C. Freyberg (pilot), P. K. Fowler (pilot), A r . T. Dibble, A. H. Honeyfield (pilot), R. Linklater (pilot), L. McGaffin (pilot), A. J. Phillipps and H. B. Free.

AVarm appreciation was expressed of the services of the secretary, Air IC. G. Chamberlain.

The club decided to place on record its appreciation of the work of the Kairanga County Council in improving the road access to the aerodrome.