SERVICES REWARDED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 225, 22 August 1938, Page 2

SERVICES REWARDED

MR H. E. EDMUNDS HONOURED. AERO CLUB ASSOCIATIONS. “This function is designed to do honour to a very esteemed townsman. The Middle Districts Aero Club lelt that the time had arrived when some recognition should be shown to one who lias played an important part in the affairs of this district.” With these words, Mr J. A. Nash (patron) summed up the purpose of a gathering of l the members of the Middle Districts Aero Club, on Saturday night, prior to making a presentation of a clock beautifully mounted in the boss of a propellor, to Mr H. E. Edmunds, who was president of the club from 1933 to 1938, and who has just retired from active participation in its affairs. About forty persons attended the function, which took place in the P.D.C. tearooms, the chairman being Squadron-Leader P. K. Fowler foimerly of the Boyal Air Force and president of the club. _ . Mr Fowler apologised tor the. flbsence of the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) and extended a welcome to those present, especially the .patron (Mr Nash), who was having Ins hrst real opportunity of becoming acquainted with the club’s members, he said. Foliowiim the observance of the loyal toast, Mr G. W. Dixon, an executive member of the club, proposed the toast of “Royal New Zealand Air r orce and the Civil Aviation Department The Middle Districts Aero Club, said Mr Dixon, had always been in close touch with the Boyal New Zealand Am particularly in the last months in the training of entrants. They had been impressed by the realisation of the high standard required. There was, lie thought, no other defence organisation in the Dominion in which such a high standard was iequired. It comprised members who were a great credit to their country. The Air Force, continued Mr Dixon, was the main line of defence in New Zealand, and the community could rest assured that the service was in capable hands. The members could make up in quality wluit they lacked in numbers. ~ _■ Deferring to civil aviation, Mr Dixon said the club bad always been in constant touch with the organisation which, in the early stages, had been very helpful in giving a lead on how to carry on efficiently. Tlioir guidance had been of great assistance and the success of the club had been largely due to their executive officers. -Flying-Officer R. Linklater, of the Boyal New Zealand Air Force, in reply, said the force was deeply sensible of the fine work the aero clubs were doing in the training of men who would be of great value to the country in case of emergency. In connection with civil aviation, Mr Linklater declared that, however irksome the rules and regulations might be, they had been formed in the interests of safety and efficient administration. Tho toast “The Commercial Air Services” was in the hands of Mr JN. R. Lecher (club captain), who said that three years ago people had ridiculed tho idea of commercial air services in New Zealand. However, now they had been running for two and ahalf years with only one major accident. It gave the aero clubs great pleasure to be associated with the services. The late Squadron-Leader McGregor and the late Commander W. Duthio had been instructors of the club before they had become actively associated with commercial yiUc* The Aero Club had always been grateful for the loan of instructors on numerous occasions. The club, he considered, had been more closely connected with the air services than any other in New Zealand. a , Tho response was made by toquaci-ron-Leader T. W. White, of Union Airways, who said that ho appreciated deeply the remarks of the previous speaker. Tho commercial air services felt that they had done a very good job of work. They had battled hard against many obstacles and were proud of their record of service. In 1922 lie had been associated with tho Auckland Service Club and after a few years with the Hawke s Bay Club he had come to Palmerston North. Commander M. MacLeod endorsed Mr White’s remarks, and said they had always been grateful to the aero clubs, who had assisted them in every way.

SERVICE WELL RENDERED. Mr Nash proposed the toast “Our Guest.” He said that Mr Edmunds had been associated with the club since 1928, being president for live years and also a vice-president of tho Milson Aerodrome Society. In these capacities he had played a leading part in the development and establishment of aviation in Palmerston North. His experience and ability had been a tower of strength over a period of ten years. Now' the club was in a very sound position and was efficiently taking part in the training of pilots, who would form a very important part in tho defence of tho country if the occasion arose. He considered the Milson Aerodrome would eventually become the Croydon of New Zealand. Mr Edmunds had given a lot of time for tho benefit of others, added Mr Nash. He was connected with the Man awa til Speedway Club, tho Manawatu Racing Club, the 'J miners’ Association, tho Chamber ol Commerce, tho Manawatu Automobilo Association, the Milson Aerodromo Society, the Aero Club, and various other organisations; also ho was a lover of birds. In all these bodies, added the speaker, Mr Edmunds had played an important part. He felt sure that Mr Edmunds would always bo proud of the present he was about to receive, and, in addition, it would always bo a reminder of his association with tho flying movement. Mr AV. A. Waters, an old member of the club, eulogised Mr Edinunds’s services to aviation. He traced the history of the present aerodrome at Milson, in which Mr Edmunds had played a prominent part. An acknowledgment of the very pleasant relations which had existed between himself and Mr Edmunds was made by Mr K. G. Chamberlain (secretary). Mr Edmunds, ho said, had always given very close attention to the business of the club. He had never begrudged his time or energy. In 1935, the club had commenced to receive a subsidy from the Government, and he believed that it had proved its possibilities and was now moving on to become one of the major clubs in the Dominion. Mr Edmunds feelingly responded, saying that he had watched the club grow—it liad been his hobby and ho had enjoyed every minute of it. Any success he had had was due largely to the committees he had with him. They had met many difficulties, but they had fought them and put the club on its feet. In severing his connection with the club, he did so with regret, but it was in a very sound | position and it should grow further still. He had never anticipated such j a fine gift, and he would particularly

value it. In conclusion, he had only one regret, and that was that he was leaving before "the club bad proper hangar accommodation at Milson. He again expressed his thanks- for the splendid gift and the motive that was behind it. The toast “The Milson Acrodome Society” was . proposed by Mr B. Short and was responded to by Mr D. If. Smillie, a member of the committee, who said he hoped to see Palmerston North as' the terminal point of the trans-Tasman air service. Ho paid a tribute to Union Airways for the assistance it had given at Milson.