The Dannevirke Airport

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6627, 14 August 1931, Page 2

The Dannevirke Airport

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Of the planes which visited Dannevirke for the final day of the aviation exhibition, tho Palmerston North and Hastings Moths, piloted by Major Cowpor and Mr. I. B- Gordon respoctivelv. left for their homo aerodromes oa Saturday evening. Tho B F rtaa Arrow, piloted by Flying Officer Mftthoson, also left for Palmerston North on Saturday evening. The Canadian Kmg and Whippet Company's Spartan Arrow, piloted by Mr. Petrie, and the Wairarapa Aero Club's Moth, piloted by Captain W. Park, left for Masterton on Sunday morning. On Tuesday a Moth from the Wanganui branch of the Western Federated FI vine Club and piloted by hiigntLieut. Buekeridge, visited Dannevirke on a taxi flight. The machine conveyed Mr. W. G. Walkley, auditor to the lamaki Cf-op. Dairy Company, Ltd., from Hawera to attend tho annual meeting of the company. Mr. Walkley returned to Hawera by air the same day.

PROMINENT AUSTRALIAN AVIATORS. , Messrs C. D. and L. F. 3Pratt, who -with their brother, Mr. P. J * recently arrived from Australia by the Ulimaroa, spent Tuesday night in Dannevirke and proceeded to Napier en route-"for * Auckland on Wednesday, where they will rejoin their brother. The three brothers, who are prominent in Australian aviation circles, are natives of Wellington and have returned to visit their mother, who is suffering an illness. . , _ , Mr. C. D. Pratt was with the BoyaJ Plying Corps in Egypt during the war and later became a pioneer in air transport in New Guinea.. With Mr. Bay Parer (and two mechanics who subsequently died of fever) he was the first to fly across the island from Papua to New Guinea over the Owen Stanley ranges with An altitude of 11,000 feet. Ray Parer, who flew from England to Australia with Mclntosh in 1019 is stiff flying in New Guinea. - Mr. L. F. Pratt also spent some months in flying service in New Guinea but had to return following a bad attack of fever. Tn discussing conditions on tne Guinea goldfields, to a Times representative, Mr. C. D. Pratt said that aviation had made possible the working of the gold, which would have been otherwise impossible owing to the nature of the country. Prior to the commencement of mining operations, this country had been inhabited by head hunting tribes. Several of the pioneers died ot blaekwater fever and until up to date air services were established with refrigerating plant, tinned food provided the principal fare. An aerodrome was cleared on the side of the hill at the Wan goldfield and others at Salamoa and Lae on the coast, a distance of 60 miles from the goldfields. Mr. Pratt described the Wau aerodrome as a difficult proposition for pilots —one way in

and one'way opt, .whichever way the wind blew. :j * Mr. Pratt started operations m New Guinea with a DH6 and a 504 K Avro, both discarded Air Force machines, and later took up the service with Moths. Three-engined and single-engined Junkers freight carriers are used on these services now, wooden machines being found unsuitable on account of the tropical conditions. Besides passengers, white and black, general stores, mining machinery and alluvial gold, they are responsible for the transport of live stock, goats, pigs, etc. There 1 are no port facilities at New Guinea. The boats anchor in tho roadstead and the cargo is carried by lighter to the shore.

Mr. P. J. Pratt joined his brothers in Australia in 1920 and became a pioneer in the gliding movement, being a member of the Geelong Gliding Club. He commenced the manufacture of aircraft and was successful in gaining several Royal Air Force contracts for reconditioning DH9 and DH9A machines. He also did reconditioning for private owners, and built his own light plane and gliders. Up till recently he held the Australian record for soaring flight. All three brothers hold A, B, O and D ground engineer's tickets. Messrs C. D. and L. F. Pratt, while in Dannevirke, met directors of Dominion Aircraft Company and discussed future prospects of gliding in New Zealand. They have ’ promised to pay a return visit in about a fortnight when Mr. P. J. Pratt will be with them.