MILSON AERODROME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 2

MILSON AERODROME

REVIEW OF THE YEAR. The annual meeting of members of Milson Aerodrome (Inc.) was held last evening, Mr D. F. Smillie presiding. Others present were Messrs W. A. Waters, D. Watson, T. S. Madge, G. W. Dixon, R. Linklater, A. J. Phillipps, H. Colliiison, F. Pegden ? L. H. Collinson and K. G. Chamberlain (lion, secretary). Apologies for absence were leceived from Messrs M. H. Oram and H. E. Edmunds.

“The purpose for which the society was constituted—the establishment of adequate aerodrome facilities for Palmerston North—having now been completed, the question to be considered is whether tho society should continue in existence in its present form or whether some more appropriate arrangement can bo made for the permanent maintenance of the aerodrome as a public utility,” stated the annual report. “This committee, acting in conjunction with the Aero Club, recently approached the City Council, and the Kairanga County Council, with a view to obtaining their co-opera-tion in the establishment of a permanent Airport Board under the proviyisions of the Local Bodies Empowering (Aviation Encouragement) Act. 1929. A conference with these local authorities was held, and both showed every appreciation of the importance of tho aerodrome as a civic institution and expressed their desire to co-oper-ate in its maintenance. The Kairanga County Council subsequently advised that it could not at present undertake tho liability involved, but it recognised that this body had already contributed substantially in the improvement of the road access, and the responsibility for its future maintenance. The City Council for its part submitted to its solicitors the proposal regarding its representation on an Airport Board and was advised that while the Act provided for any local body or combination of local bodies to establish and maintain an aerodrome there was no power for it to combine with any other institution such as the Aero Club or Milson Aerodrome for this purpose. > MONEY IN TRUST. “The position at present is therefore that the amount of £I7OO set aside from the art union funds by arrangement between the Manawatu Aero Club and .Milson Aerodrome is vested in a special trust which was set up to administer these funds until such time as a permanent Airport Board was formed. These moneys are now invested on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand. The resolution on which this trust was created was passed by a combined meeting of the Aero Club and Milson Aerodrome and provides for the transfer of the moneys becoming absolute on completion of an agreement with the City Council and/or the Kairanga County Council and/or the other local authority to take over the lease and maintenance of the aerodrome. This condition being apparently incapable of fulfilment at present, the position will now require to be reviewed.

“The balance-sheet shows the capital value of the aerodrome improvements to be approximately £550, in addition to which there are other substantial improvements provided without cost to the society such as the hangar floor, entrance gates, etc. If, therefore, the above mentioned endowment moneys can be made permanently available for the maintenance of the aerodrome, the total capital value of assets will be approximately £2400. “In reviewing the establishment and development of the Milson aerodrome over the past two years the societymay justifiably take the credit of having carried out a valuable public service to the city of Palmerston North and district, in providing an aerodrome which possesses practically all the essential qualities and facilities for present and future requirements. The selection of the site has proved a fortunate one, considered from the point of view of its accessibility to the city, its freedom from surrounding obstructions and general safety, and the effectiveness of the drainage improvements carried out last year which have made the winter conditions excellent. ERECTION OF BUILDINGS.

The financing of the development of the aerodrome and the erection of buildings, etc., was provided in the early stages entirely by the advances made by members, assisted later by a bank overdraft guaranteed by publicspirited citizens and by generous assistance and accommodation extended by local business firms and individuals. It is, in fact, almost impossible to enumerate all those who have helped from time to time to further the work. The City Council provided the concrete floor of the hangar," the Kairanga County Council have undertaken considerable expenditure in improving the road access, Mr W. G. Black, on behalf of the Rotary Club, provided the very fine entrance gates and ornamental fences, and other supporters have been most generous in various directions.”

Concluding, the president took the opportunity of expressing his personal thanks to all members of the society for the splendid support given during a very trying period, and especially referred to the hon. secretary, Mr K. G. Chamberlain, for his untiring elforts in the interests of the formation of the Aerodrome. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follow- for the ensuing year:—President, Mr Smillie; vice-president, Mr A. J. Pliillipps; committee, Messrs W. A. Waters, L. H. Collinson, H. E. Edmunds, F. Pegden. T. S. Madge. 11. Watson, G. AV. Dixon, It. Linklater and H. Collinson; auditor, Mr R. H. Spencer; secretary and treasurer, Mr Chamberlain. General business regarding the management of the aerodrome was dealt with and preliminary arrangements for welcoming Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and making the necessary extension of aerodrome facilities for the Southern Cross wore put in hand.

A unanimous expression of appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the aerodrome by the president, Mr D. F. Smillie, was placed on record.