FEILDING AERO CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 196, 20 July 1937, Page 5

FEILDING AERO CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING

The sixth annual meeting cf the Feilding Aero Club, Inc., was held last evening the president (Mr D. C. Cullinane) presiding over a good attendance. An apology for absence was received from Mr T. Collins (Mayor). The following report. covering the year’s activities, was adopted:—“The balance-sheet shows that the club is in a sound financial position. Whilst it has not been able to engage actively in aviation during the past year, nevertheless the year has seen considerable progress. The Public Works Department has practically completed the laying out of the aerodrome, the only work remaining to be completed being the mole draining of the property. This will probably be commenced within the next month. During the year the committee have had erected a modern hangar which should fulfil the requirements of the club for many years. As it was late in the season when the club obtained a license for the aerodrome, it was considered advisable to postpone the official opening until a future date when more settled weather may be expected. The future use of title old dwell-ing-house on the aerodrome has been given consideration, but the_committee has not reached a final decision. The committee went very thoroughly into

the question of renting or farming the land, and have decided on the latter; a farming committee has been appointed to carry on the farming. Mr 11. Linklater, has succeeded in gaining an instructor’s license and we tender him our congratulations. We anticipate that in the near future a considerable amount of flying will l>e done at Taonui, as it seems likely that the extended commercial air services operating to and from Milson will have the effect of making our aerodrome the principal training centre lor the Middle Districts Aero Club. The club now has a licensed, well-equipped aerodr.ome, the public are becoming more airminded every day, so we can look forward to the future with confidence. We desire to express thanks to the officers of the Public Works Department amid the Defence Department for assistance during the year, to neighbouring property-owners for permitting the topping of trees for the purpose of ensuring greater saletv at the aerodrome, to the Press, and to all who have assisted the club in any wav.”

Speaking to the report and balancesheet, Mr Cullinane said that revenue had not been high, as the club had not been functioning actively as a flying unit; however, this woud be remedied in the near future flying in earnest wai commenced. The club was in a thoroughly financial position and had a modern hangar. Taonui would soon be one of the main training centres and the property would then become a scene of great activity.

Eulogistic reference to the interest and work done by Hon. .7. G. Cobbe, M.P., was made by Mr Cullinane, in moving that he he re-elected patron of the club.

A vote of thanks to past committeemen was passed on the motion of Mr E. E. Fair. It was decided that

a letter of appreciation for his services as hon. surgeon be forwarded to Dr. G. Phillips. It was resolved that the question of reducing subscriptions in order to make the public more airminded, and to encourage membership, be dealt with at a special general meeting to be called later. Mr E. W. Barnett, of Tokorangi, was elected , president, and in returning thanks, he referred to the work of the retiring presiTTent, Mr Cullinane, who be said bad done much to stimulate interest in the club’s activity. A motion was carried by acclamation.

Replying, Mr Cullinane thanked the president and members for their remarks, and said that he hoped to see the flying facilities much further developed in the near future. Other officers elected were :—Vicepresidents, Mr T. Collins (Mayor), and the chairmen of the Oroua, Maiiawatu, Kiwitea, Pohangiria, and Kairanga County Councils; lion, treasurer, Mr E. E. Pair; hon. secretary, Mr T. W. Simpson; club captain, Mr V. B. Short; hon. surgeons, Drs. K. G. Salmond, F. Cameron, and W. Maclauriti; lion, auditor, Mr A. H. Maguire ; committee, Messrs H- Brooker, M. E. Hassell, J. Penney, T. Collins, G. M. Moffitt, R. Linklater, R. McCauley, and B. T. Shannon.