AIR PAGEANT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20703, 29 April 1929, Page 10

AIR PAGEANT.

AN INTERESTING PROGRAMME. THRILLING STUNTING DEMON- • STRATION. ■ (Per United Press Association.) HASTINGS, April 27. The weather report sent from the Hawke’s Bay aerodrome at 9.45 read: “The fog has lifted, and there is promise of a cloudless day. The wind is practically nil. Visitors are arriving in large numbers, and seven machines are now on the ground. The arrivals are:—Captain Bissell (Bristol fighter), Captain J, F. Findlay (Air Force Moth), Captain (’handler (Marlborough Air Club’s Moth), Captain J. C. Mercer (Air Force Moth, accompanied by Mr Climic, president of the Canterbury Aero Club), Captain K. Hall (AvroAvian, accompanied by Mr Wilson, representing the Auckland Aero Club), Mr J. Smith (Moth), Captain White (Hawke’s Bay Aero Club’s Moth). Two Auckland machines are on the way, and Captain M. C. M'Gregor (Hamilton) has still to arrive. The ground is in excellent condition, with the promise of a fine pageant. The programme includes the- New Zealand Light Plane Blue Ribbon for a cup presented by Mrs W. G. Stead; the Air Transport race for a cup presented by •Mrs W. Richmond; a slow race for a cup presented by Mr S. I. MTvee; a car bombing competition for a watch presented by Mr Mason Chambers. A trophy known as the Kessell Cup will be awarded for the machine and pilot with the greatest number of points in the pageant. Throe planes passed overhead to Napier this morning as the signal prearranged that the pageant will take place. Mr J, G. Coates and the Minister of Defence (Mr T. M. Wilford) are expected early. A later message states that Captains Burrell and Mercer gave a 10-minutes thrilling stunting demonstration. The all-transport race was won by Captain Findlay, with Captain Mercer second. Time, 4min 25sec. The landing competition resulted:— Chandler (Marlborough Aero Club) 1, Findlay (N.Z.A.P.) 2, Mercer (Canterbury Aero Club) 3. The slow flight race resulted:—Captain Hall (Hororata) 1, Pilot Smith (Auckland air survey) 2, Captain Findlay 3.