Animated Sight at Ihumatao Airdrome

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 642, 19 April 1929, Page 1

Animated Sight at Ihumatao Airdrome

PREPARING FOR PAGEANT PLANES TO FLY OVER CITY As a fitting preliminary to the Auckland Aero Club’s pageant to be staged at the Ihumatao airdrome to-morrow, and in the case of unsuitable weather conditions an indication that the display will definitely take place a number of planes will fly over the city and suburbs in formation between 8.30 and 9.30 to-morrow morning. Tho airdrome was a hive of activity this morning and an imposing and animated sight. There were numerous arrivals of planes taking part in to-morrow’s function, while there was much time spent in tuning-up and trial flying. It is expected that every machine taking part to-morrow will be at the airdrome before this evening. Four gate entrances to the airdrome have been arranged, and in the case of a large attendance it would assist the officials of the pageant considerably, if one person is responsible for the tickets for all the occupants of his car. The pageant will be postponed only in the event of extremely bad weather, or in the event of heavy, low-lying clouds. Any postponement will be advertised by means of posters placed throughout the city and suburbs. The natural surface of the airdrome being particularly well drained no inconvenience will be felt by the public unless a downpour is experienced. The public are warned against trespassing on the landing grounds. This will not bo permitted under any circumstances whatever, by unauthorised persons, and any boats on the arm of tho harbour running up by the airdrome are warned not to approach within a quarter of a mile of the ammunition dump. The airdrome and fences will be patrolled by police and a troop of the Auckland Mounted Rifles. The parking of cars is in the hands of experienced men under the control of the Automobile Association and instructions given by these men must be strictly obeyed. BETTER AIR DEFENCE PROPOSED CHANGES MUST BE GRADUAL Press Association WELLINGTON, Thursday. The necessity for revising New Zealand’s system of defence along the lines of modern air development was referred to by Sir Joseph Ward in replying to a Navy League deputation to-day. Sir Joseph said the Ministry recognised that we mtist prepare our air defences to a larger degree than at present, but we could not maintain at full strength two independent systems, land and air defence, to say nothing of submarines. The change to the new conditions must be gradual. It would be a mistake to push forward air defence too hastily, as the time would come when there must be a combination of land and air forces. There might be submitted at the coming session legislation giving effect to the change in ai.r defence methods, but it would not be more expensive than the present system. The country must be prepared for war, although no one wanted it.