DOMINION’S FIRST AVIATION EXHIBITION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6622, 7 August 1931, Page 2

DOMINION’S FIRST AVIATION EXHIBITION

Dannevirhe’s Enterprise A COMPREHENSIVE DISPLAY The promoters of the Dannevirke Industrial and Aviation Exhibition, the first of its kind to be held in the Dominion, have every reason to be satisfied with tho results of their efforts. To those who enter tho doors of the Dannevirke Drill hall the excellence of tho display presents a surprise. The exhibition, which was tho outcome of a scheme outlined by the secretary of the Gliding Club, has been arrangod so as to benefit Dannevirke business and sports bodies. Tho arrangements have been carried out under a strong committee working in conjunction with tho organisers, Miss K. Miller and Mr, H. fe. M. Quigley. Considering the results obtained, it is to be hoped that the club will see its way clear to make the 6kow an annual fixture. Given another year, the committoo should be able to produce a display in both the aviation and industrial departments eclipsing even the present one. The Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony took place at 2.30 yesterday afternoon, when the chairman of committees, Dr. C. S. Wiliams ,rcad a number of apologies conveying good wishes for the success of the show. Among the apologies received were those from Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister f Intocrnal Affairs, and Mr. J. Vigor Brown, Mayor of Napier. Hon. E. A. Ransom, member of Parliament for Bahiatua, wrote as follow's: “It is with great regret that 1 was unable to accept the invitation of your committee to be present at the opening of your exhibition this afternoon. Its two-fold objective—to stimulate interest in Now Zoaland industries and in aviation —is a worthy ono and warrants the support of all who take an interest in the development of our important district. Tho progress of our secondary industries is a matter of the greatest moment to the Dominion at the present time when, on account of tho economic- depression, every effort is required to stimulate production and thus provide employment to assist in absorbing our surplus labour. Your exhibition will give a clear indication of the wide range and excellent quality of the commodities now being manufactured in the Dominion, and I confidently believe that, as our progress in this respect becomes better known, New Zealanders will embrace every opportunity of purchasing New Zealand-made goods and thus assist to maintain our people in employment. No fewer than 85,797 persons, who receive £17,620,000 in wages and salaries, are at present employed in what is termed factory production, including butter and cheese, and the value of their products for the year ended March 31, 1930, was £93,000,000, and the value added by manufacture £34,000,000. It should be noted that an increased output of 10 per cent, would give employment to an additional 5000 people. The value of aviation as an economic unit is now well established, and Dannevirke is to be congratulated on the keen interest it is displaying in the science. Its locally manufactured aeroplane has been highly commended by the authorities, while gliders are being manufactured for other parts of the Dominion. I wish to associate myself with all those assembled in congratulating the organisers of the exhibition and air pageant on their enterprise and in extending to them my best wishes for the success of tho fixture.”

The Mayor of Dannevirke (Mr. M. D. Smith), prior to declaring the exhibition open, said he wished to congratulate the Gliding and Aero Clubs and those who had assisted in promoting the exhibition. The fixture was a special feature as regards New Zealand trade goods and aircraft products and was to foster Now Zealand industries.-

The Mayor of Palmerston North (Mr. A. E. Mansford) thanked the promoters for their invitation to be present and congratulated the committee on the very fine display. He also congratulated Dannevirke on its enterprise and wished the exhibition every success. He urged tho necessity to keep trade within tho Empire. The Display One is struck on entering the exhibition with the variety in trade exhibits. There was a keen demand for space, and tbosu who lodged their applications early wero fortunate in securing their stands. The different stalls, national and local, are all artistically arranged, and aviation is made a prominent feature. The Aviation Section The thanks of the committee are due to the Director of Air Services, to aero clubs, to Mr. H, Armstrong and to the Shell Oil Co. for the success of the special aviation section. The Air Force has supplied a large number of articles of historic interest, including aerial bombs, smoko bombs, Air Foreo flags and photographs. Models of famous aircraft and enlargements of noted flyers add to the attractiveness of this section. Suspended overhead are the local club glidor, the Dickson glider built in Dannevirke for the Kaitaia Aero Club and Mr. Hamish Armstrong’s Moth plane, while an interesting display of aircraft supplies is entered by a local aircraft company. Working Models

Operated from a specially installed compressed air plant, the room of working engineering models, mostly built in the district, claims the interest of visitors. The Side Shows Although a large number of applications were received from professional showmen, it was decided to exclude these and to ask that sports bodies run the sideshows for their own benefit. These are located at the rear of the hall and get their share of attention. Home Industries and Wool Display Interesting features of the show are the home industries and “Wear more wool” displays. This is a department of its own, and has received royal support from the Womon’s Division of the Farmers’ Union and the Department of Agriculture.