AERO CLUB’S EFFORTS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1934, Page 8

AERO CLUB’S EFFORTS

WORK AT STRATFORD REVIEWED. REPORT TO ANNUAL MEETING. The efforts the executive of the Stratford Aero Club have made towards the establishment of a suitable landing ground to serve the town, were outlined in the report presented last night to the annual meeting of the club. Mr. J. C. Robins presided.

To that end, the report stated, a number of sites was inspected in the district with a view to their suitability as an emergency landing ground, and some work was carried out on a site on the western side of King Edward Park in stumping and clearing the ground preparatory to an inspection by the director of aviation. About £22 10s was spent in subsidising relief labour. Subsequent to a visit by Flight-Lieutenant SomersetThomas, of the New Zealand Air Force, and Mr. Gibson, Public Works Department engineer in charge of aerodromes, the club was advised that the ground under consideration was not likely to prove suitable for future developments. A site north-east of the racecourse, at the easterly end of Flint Road, was chosen and a detailed survey completed by Public Works Departnient engineers. The Stratford Borough Council interested itself in the project and a scheme was under consideration whereby a serviceable aerodrome of adequate proportions would be established. If the project was realised, it was incumbent on members to take all possible action to assist the council by raising funds to establish the necessary buildings and thus provide a completed aerodrome which would be a credit to the town and district.

It was proposed to organise a series of lectures for members on suitable aeronautical subjects. During the year the club became an associate member of the Western Federated N.I. Flying Club, Inc. Two members, Messrs. L. Wann and M. C. Moore, received flying instruction during the year and the former had already flown solo. Although debarred from flying activities generally, the club was not idle in other directions and the first annual ball was an outstanding success and reflected great credit on the committee and all who helped. Special thanks were due to Mrs. C. Moore. Two aero club dances organised during the year by Misses Wilson and Brown were successful. The club was indebted to the Manaia company that staged the revue “Miles of Smiles” for the club’s benefit. The executive received whole-hearted assistance both from members and others and it was desired to thank sincerely all those who in any way helped the club. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, showing a credit of £1 Os Bd, the chairman remarked that as the annual meeting was a little late two annual balls had been held in the year, but the report referred to the first ball of the two. The club was not able to give members the interest in aviation that was desired, but now the club is on the threshold of an advance in aviation matters. There were a number of members that were ready to take up flying as soon as a ground was available. FlyingOfficer lan Keith was willing to assist with aeronautical addresses, and though Stratford had no established landing ground hardly a day passed without one or more planes crossing the town. There was therefore no doubt that aviation had come to stay and the towns must come into line and provide suitable landing grounds. While land was comparatively cheap those towns without aerodromes had to make provision for grounds’ that would be in great demand. Once such a ground was provided there would be plenty to do and to learn. Mr. Robins paid a tribute to the work done by the secretary, Mr. D. E. White. At first the club intended to provide only what would be an emergency landing ground for a Moth, but the attention of the club had been drawn to the need for looking ahead and catering for a more ambitious scheme. However, the money spent on the ground west of King Edward Park was not wasted, for that work was responsible for bringing to Stratford aviation experts who had helped to locate the ground which it was now intended to develop. Those who were to carry on the plans of the club during the next year would be laying a solid foundation that would ultimately be a comprehensive scheme. Aero clubs throughout New Zealand maintained a very high standard which he expected would be emulated at Stratford. It was gratifying, said Mr. W. L. Kennedy, to see that so much had been done by the club. Members thought that the first ground chosen would form the nucleus of a good aerodrome, but experts had pointed, out the advisability of developing the Flint Road area, and there was no doubt that it could be expanded into a first-class aerodrome. . Officers elected were: Patron, the Hon. R. Masters; president, Mr. H. Bishop; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. R. Anderson, and P. Thomson; club captain, Mr. L. Wann; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. D. Young; solicitor, Mr. P. Thomson; committee, Messrs. A. G. Petrie, R. R. Curtis, H. Scott, M. C. Moore, J. L. O. Rowe, D. E. White, J. Crockett, H. Graham and S. W. Boon; auditor, Mr. T. L. Pain. The previous president and secretary declined nomination owing to pressure of business. The executive was recommended to form an entertainment sub-committee. Thanks were accorded the retiring president (Mr. Robins) and secretary (Mr. White). PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. “LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOW?” “Little Man, What Now?” starring Margaret Sullavan, the girl who was rocketted to fame with her first picture, “Only Yesterday,” will be finally screened at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Every one of the critics in the country has raved about her work in her motion picture debut; she has dominated the magazines for the last three months and now the question on everyone’s lips, “Can she do it again?” has been answered by the emphatic success of “Little Man, What Now?” The picture, produced and directed by Frank Borzage, the “man who has never made a failure,” ranks with his immortal “Seventh Heaven” in dramatic depth, tenderness and beauty. It has the additional value of timeliness. The picture deals with present-day conditions. Douglass Montgomery plays the leading role opposite Miss Sullavan.