A GENEROUS GIFT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 55

A GENEROUS GIFT.

CANTERBURY AERODROME. The Hon. 11. F. Wigram, M.L.C., chairman of directors of the Canterbury Aviation Company, whose property the Government

has agreed to purchase at a valuation, will make a gift of £IO.OOO toward ihe purchase price. -Hr Wigram’s offer to Ihe Government. made on March 9, was to the effei fc that if the Government would take over ihe assets and liabilities of ihe company as ascertained by valuation, and would make use of the" Sookbum aerodrome for the purpose for which it was formed the training of airmen and mechanics for the defence of New Zealand—he would subscribe £IOXOO as a free gift in reduction of the cost of ihe aerodrome to the Government Mr Massey was subsequently interviewed in Wellington by a deputation, and lie promised to inspect tho aerodrome which he did on Sunday. April 15. .Subsequently Cabinet decided to accept the offer. The Canterbury Aviation Company was formed in August, 1916. and at its inception the capital was 20.030 £1 shares. The public was slow to subscribe the amount required, and in order to allow the company to go ahead Mr Migrant gave a guarantee that he would take up any shales not subscribed for by a certain date. As a result of his offer he had to put down £ls 000. When, a short time later another 10 (F 0 £1 shares were issued, he made a similar offer, and took over £7500 worth.