SIR HENRY WIGRAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 8

SIR HENRY WIGRAM

Throughout the Dominion and beyond it the death of Sir Henry Wigram sends memory back along the way taken by aviation in New Zealand. It is a grateful memory, for to him more than to any other is due the progress made. His interest—personal, patriotic, practical—was manifested at the very initiation of the development, long before the people of this country became at all airminded. None can compete with him for the title of father of this activity within our shores. His faith in its future was far-seeing. When he first gave his influence to it many were still sceptical of the possibilities of flight, and most were of the opinion that it could have only slender and limited extension in these islands. But his faith never wavered, as his actions gave full proof. At the beginning, when the flying school at Sockburn was established for the training: | of pilots, he cheerfully bore a heavy financial burden to keep its work | going; its notable success, for it helped greatly to swell the total of New Zealand airmen serving with distinction in the war overseas, was to him ample reward. When the war ended, and it was generally agreed that, because of relatively small population and attendant difficulties, commercial flight had but a doubtful prospect in the Dominion, his wonderful confidence soared above the obstacles: he gave £IO,OOO toward the national purchase of the Sock burn aerodrome, a gift that was much more than a patriotic gestureit made the purchase feasible. Later he added £2500 to buy a suitable aeroplane. These gifts, made at such a time, were an inspiration as well as a material contribution to meeit a need. Others knew them to ho generous —and in renaming the Sockburn facilities "Wigram Aerodrome" they thankfully said so—but in his sage, quiet fashion of judging he deemed them necessary and preferred this view. So, in course of time, they came to think, thoueh abating not a whit their appreciation of his forward-looking thought and deed, and when he was knighted in recognition of his pioneerinc service to aviation they felt he was fully worthy, having aspired and led the way. It may well be, however, that in his declining days he reaped a personal satisfaction more to him than the bestowal of social dignity* he lived to see his dream come true. New Zealand sharing in the advance of aviation, the Tasman flown, and air transit becoming a commonplace of our inland communication' and developing into a stronger arm of our defence. This seen, he has passed on as the time of experiment matures, to be ever remembered for his nurturing of its infancy, passed on full of years and honours. His best monument, whatever else be done to perpetuate his memory,, will be his sure place in the history oI flight as an indispensable adjunct to life in this country.