AERO CLUB LAUNCHED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 219, 12 April 1933, Page 6

AERO CLUB LAUNCHED

Success Assured ASSET TO STRATFORD Large Enthusiastic Gathering The Stratford Aero Club, Incorporated, came into being last night, in response to notice of a public meeting, called by His Worship the Mayor, Mr. Percy Thomson, a large number of enthusiasts assembled in the Muni, cipal Chambers.

The new club was launched with every prospect of succor" as wide support has been pro 'ire l the project. Officers ware oßctd and a committee set up to c-.;ry m

the work of organising the club and securing it both numerically and financially.

The chief speakers were visitors Irom the New Plymouth and Hawcra Aero Clubs and iho chairman of the local committee, Mr. J. C. Robins. The latter explained the action already taken and in the course of his remarks stated that he. had received advice to the effect that the Railway Department was agreeable to a long-term lease of the land west of Regan Street which had boon selected as a la tiding site.

Mr. Thomson, from the chair, welcomed the visitors and expressed pleasure at the large attendance. The following New Plymouth Aero Club oflicials and members were present: Messrs. A. F. Sandford (president), H. W. Lightband, C. Hannan, S. Green, K. Martin, M. Dineen, C. Pankhurst, C. Clark and the secretary, Mr. S. E. Nielson. Messrs. B. Haybittle and T. M. Ellis represented the Hawera Club, apologies for absence being tendered for the president, Dr. Buist, and secretary, Mr. W. G. Walkley. Mr. Thomson said that particular stress should he laid on the undeniable need for an aerodrome in Stratford. Three years ago, said Mr. Thomson, Wing-Commander Grant-Dalton had inspected two sites in Stratford as to their suitability for landing grounds and had approved both. Owing to the financial stringency at the time he (the speaker) had considered it wise not to go ahead with the project. However, there was no reason now why a strong club should not be formed and with assured finance provide a landing ground for planes flying over New Zealand. He expressed delight at the excellent attendance. The on- j thusiasm of such a gathering augured I well he said for the formation and | successful career of a club in Strat-! ford. Personally ho would accord the 1 scheme every support, and would be glad to become a member. (Applause.) Aviation in its Infancy

Mr. Sandford said that the large

attendance, as well as encouraging to the organisers, indicated that Stratford was of opinion that it should have a landing ground and aero club. Aviation, of course, was only in its infancy and there were great strides yet to be maded. He had no hesitation, however, in predicting that in twelve months’ time several definite air routes would be established and Stratford would be in the line of flight. In view of this factor an aero club and landing ground was as essential to the town as a railway station. It

was desirable therefore, that a club

should bo formed, in order to provide facilities for travelling planes. It was not wise to go into ) too much detail in regard to the, difflw/tics and obstacles that would be encountered, but he was confident that every success would attend the project if live, officers were elected to the executive positions. It would be surprising how soon the ground, once established, would be used. Western Federated Club

Touching on the activities of the Western Federated Flying Club, Mr. Sandford said that the federation comprised clubs from Martoa and Feilding ) all with their own parochial feelings. With the association of the club it was possible to keep down overhead costs. He assured the gathering that the federation carried a good deal of weight with the New Zealand Air Council. An instance of the progress of aviation was the fact that already the Australian and British Governments were calling tenders for air mails between the two countries. In view of that it was no rash prediction to say that in the comparatively near future planes would fly regularly across the Tasman. Planes to cope with such a service would, ho knew, be provided. Tbc New Plymouth Club made no secret of the fact that they were “all out” to have New Plymouth established as the New Zealand terminal of such a service. If that did eventuate and he saw no reason why it should not, one could : imagine the rapidity with which mails | couUJ be brought from England to Australia and thence to New Zealand. He was anxious that a club be formed in Stratford and he advised the meeting that once the club became established to apply to the district local bodies for assistance. Once it had be- | come sufficiently sound the chib would be able to affiliate with the Western Federation, in which body it would he counted a valuable member. In con-

elusion he stated that the New' Plymouth Club and the federation would be glad to offer every assistance to forward aviation in the district. Rapid Progress Predicted

Mr. Ellis said that progress in flying as all mechanical lines of thought must in the future be more rapid, because of much more data, second-

ly because of a universal air-minded-ness and thirdly because the world generally was calling for a faster means of transport. He assured the gathering of the support of the Ha-w-era Club, which he said had been pleased to hear of the project in Stratford. The club would probably find, he said, that there would be a large number of young fellows keen on flying who could not afford to pay the fees for instruction. He suggested that a matter worthy of consideration was that of gliding, which was a com-

paratively safe pastime. A glider could be built for a fraction of the cost, of an aeroplane and it could be built-

in New Zealand at a comparatively low cost. Stratford Not “Left Behind”

Mr. J. C. Robins said that the large attendance and the remarks of the visitors were encouraging to the com-

mittee that had launched the project. The enthusiasts concerned had not

wished to see Stratford “left, behind” in regard to modern progress and prompt action in regard to the ground

had been taken in view of the fact

that if the matter was passed over it would be difficult in the future to secure a ground. The formation of a

club, ho said, would amount to a business proposition to a large extent and, of course, it would be no game of football. Ho was confident Unit the club would receive the support of a large number of young fellows, but in addition the support of business men and the town generally was required. Naturally the ground would require a considerable amount of attention, but in every new scheme a large amount of spadework was necessary. Pie had received advice that evening that the Railway Department had no oojcction to leasing the proposed ground for a lengthy period so that it was desirable to make an early start in the definite establishment of the recognised the Western Federation club. The fact that the Government was appreciated and he hoped that the club would soon be in the position where it could affiliate with that body. Flying as a Hobby Mr. Nielson said that it was heartening to see the large attendance of young follows who would be taking up flying as a hobby and business men who were interested in the scheme from the point of view of the town and district.- In regard to funds he said that aero clubs had made early application for grants from art unions, with the result that they had been able to make a splendid start. There was no doubt as to the demand for an air service in New Zealand, said Mr, Nielson. When “Smithy” was here an enquiry had been received for a service with a three-engined Fokkcr plane between Auckland-New Plymouthand Christchurch with a feeder to Nelson.

j Continuing, Mr. Nielson said that | he hud no doubt whatever that an | enthusiastic club Would be formed in I Stratford. The initial stages should i be carried out quite well by the men i who were the head of the r■■•heme. [ as they possessed a keen business acu--1 men—the men who pushed a road to the top of Mt. Egmont. could push a few planes into the air! j Explaining the system of m.emher- | ship adopted in New Plymouth, Mr. } Nielson said that it had been decided | to have active and associate members, j The best “scouts” a club would have } were the young fellows who had gainI cd their pilot-carrying licenses. Continuing, Mr. Nielson said that

the proximity of the, ground to the town was a great advantage especially in regard to training, most of which was done in the early mornings ami in the evenings.

In answer to several questions, Mr. Nielson gave details of flying and instructional fees, and explained that all planes and revenue were coafrolled by the federation. Clubs, however, managed their own domestic affairs. Mr. J. C. Robins moved, and Mr. M. Moore, seconded that: “A club to be known as the Stratford Aero Club, Incorporated, be formed.” The motion was carried unanimously. Election of Officers The following officers were elected: Patron, Hon. Robt. Masters; president, Mr. J. C. Robins: vice-presidents, Messrs. P. Thomson, T. R. Anderson; management committee, Messrs. L. Warm, H. Bishop, S. Hayton, D. R. White, M. Moore, J. Crockett, H. Graham, S. W. Boon, J. L. O. Rowe; club captain, Mr. H. Graham.

The Stratford Borough Council, Stratford County Council and the Stratford Chamber of Commerce will be asked to nominate one member each for the management committee Success From the Start

Mr. C. Hannan said he saw no reason why the club in Stratford should not be successful from the start. He went on to explain the process of erecting a hangar and predicted that a suitable building could be erected for about £IOO. He stressed the importance of providing social amenities for members in order to keep them together.

On the motion of Mr. Robins, a vote of thanks was accorded the visiting speakers from the New Plymouth and Hawera Clubs.

A vote of thanks was accorded His Worship the Mayor on the motion of Mr. R. H. White.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. D. E. White was appointed provisional secretary. Messrs. Robins and Thomson were appointed to further negotiations for securing the laud.