AUCKLAND AERO CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 10

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB.

AGREEMENT WITH COMPANY.

] USE OF TWO MACHINES. i The first general meeting of the newly- . formed Auckland Service Aero Club was i held in the Council Chamber last evening, and was attended by a very large number of ex-service pilots resident in Auckland, and others supporting the club. The Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, chairman of committee, presided. The objects and constitution of the club, drafted by the committee, which were published in the Herald of last Tuesday, were submitted, and on the motion ofThe Hon. Geo. Fowlds, were adopted. Negotiations have been in progress between the club and the Now Zealand Aero Transport Company, with headquarters at Timaru, for tho amalgamation of their interests in tie Auckland district, and as a result, an agreement has been drafted. A copy of this draft was read bv Mr. Gunson, and after being fully explained, was confirmed by tho members, the officers of the club being authorised to take the necessary steps to have it completed. Under this agreement it is proposed that new share capital to the extent of £10,000 be subscribed in Auckland. The club will have the right to appoint, one director to the company, and the company undertakes to place at the disposal of the club one Avro machine and one flying boat, and to keep in good order two such or similar or improved machines. There is a proviso that the club will not enter into commercial competition with the company. The company proposes to extend its operations to Auckland and intends to work in with the Government in establishing a key aerodrome near Auckland City. The company will grant active members of the club a rebate of 15 per cent., and honorary members a rebate of 10 per cent., in connection with pleasure or commercial flights, when it establishes itself in Auckland. The Mayor said ho felt sure they wer e going to have a very live club in Auckland, and announced that the club would shortly bo receiving twO ) gift machines and they had reason to believe that others would follow. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds said that the agreement was much to the benefit of the club, which was entitled, at a minimum cost' to an opportunity, for training and practice. They had little to lose and much to gain by the adoption of the agreement. Tb e Mayor stated that the club was not in any way in conflict with Messrs. Walsh Bros., of Auckland, and had no desire to compete with them. Ho spoke of the excellent service rendered to the nation by Messrs. Walsh in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties. Following some remarks by Mr. H. Edwards, a director, on the proposals of the company with regard to Auckland, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Gunson for the assistance he had given in the formation of the club, and the negotiations for the amalgamation with the Aero Company. It is understood that the Aero Company has acquired an option of Messrs. Walsh Bros.' plant, and should the purchase ultimately be made, the latter will retire from the aviation field altogether and the combined fleets will be managed by the company.