AERO CLUBS

Southland Times, Issue 21579, 17 December 1931, Page 7

AERO CLUBS

ANNUAL MEETING

PAGEANT FOR SOUTHLAND INSURANCE SCHEME (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December 16. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Aero Club was held to-day. The annual report stated that some time had been devoted to consideration of aeroplane insurance, but no finality had been reached. However, the president, Sir Francis Boys, who had just returned from England, had brought back with him definite proposals from one of the largest insurance corporations in the world and this information would be placed at the disposal of clubs as soon as possible.

The report claimed that the club’s policy of giving official support to only two pagenats, one in each island, had been justified by the success which had attended the two official functions. Advice had been received from the president that the club was now affiliated to the Royal Aero Club, placing the club on an equal footing with the largest aeronautical organizations in other parts of the world. The president had advised that he would present a cup for competition at the pageants.

The vice-president, Mr G. M. Spence, who presided, stated that he was hopeful that as a result of negotiations, the Auckland Aero Club would, subject to certain conditions, come in with the New Zealand Aero Club. The officers were elected as follows:— Patron, Sir Henry Wigram; President, Mr G. M. Spence; vice-presidents, Messrs H. R. Dix, T. C. A. Hislop; council: Sir Francis Boys, Messrs J. Gilkison, A. Allen; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr S. E. Neilston; hon. auditor, Mr T. Forsyth. It was decided to allot the Wigram Cup to the club securing the highest aggregate points in championship events at the official pageants, and the Boys Cup to the club whose pilot wins the landing competition for A pilots.

It was decided that in order to maintain the interest of spectators, the afternoon portion of the air pageant be confined mainly to exhibition flying and that club competitions, which frequently become wearisome to the public, should be disposed of in the mornings.

It was decided also that entries for pageant events be received only from clubs, and not from pilots, one entry to be accepted from each club, the items to be approved a month before the pageant so that elimination contests could be held in the clubs.

It was decided to hold the official air pageant for the South Island in Southland this year and in the North Island at Wanganui under the Western Federated Aero Club’s about March 14, the South Island in the middle of February.