WELLINGTON AERO CLUB

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17174, 3 February 1930, Page 10

WELLINGTON AERO CLUB

NEW PLANE ARRIVES

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night

There was a small but keen gathering of those interested in aviation at the cil v airport at Rongotai on Saturday afternoon to witness the landing of the Simmonds-Spartaii gift plane, which had left Sockburu at 1f.30 a.m., piloted by Captain Slednian, with Mr. J. Wallace, a member of the committee of the Wellington Aero Club, as a passenger. At 2.20 p.m. the plane appeared over Lyall Bay hills ami, after reconnoitring oyer tlni ground, circled neatly into the wind and made a perfect landing by 2,24 p.m. 'J'hu president of the Aero Club, .Mr. T. C. A. l-lislop, said that he was delighted at the opportunity of welcoming the plane on its first landing at Rongotai. Mi. Hislop then, introduced Mrs. Walter Bbmdell, to whom he presented a bouquet of flowers in the. club's colors, and invited her to christen the plane the "Evening Post (lift Plane." A. bottle was duly broken over the propeller and the plane was named. Mr. Hislop suggested that a shorter name might occur to someone connected with the thin—a name having something to do with aviation.

The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, referred to the fact that New Zealand was fast being placed on the map in aviation, lie spoke of the wonderful achievement of Mr. F. C. ChiChester* a member of the Wellington Aero Club. Mr. Troup referred to the handsome gift by the proprietors of the Kveniug Post of (be Simmonds-Spartau plane which bail just arrived-, and what if would mean lit aviation locally and in the training of pilots. Captain' Stednian, who was warmly congratulated by the Mayor, said he, had a. beautiful trip, leaving at 11.45 a.m., so Jhal it had taken him 2% hours to reach Wellington.