PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18619, 15 July 1930, Page 11

PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

AIR MAIL COLLECTION. The monthly meeting of the Timaru Philatelic Society was held in the Timaru Bowling Club pavilion. There was a good attendance of both town and country members. Mr C. S. Fraser (president), was in the chair. Usual business was transacted. The exchange superintendent, Mr Alex Paterson, reported the number of club books now in circulation, and the number which had completed the circuits since the last meeting. Business over, a treat was in store for those present, as Mr W. Peers, F.R.P.S.L., secretary of the Christchurch Philatelic Society, had very kindly sent down a portion of his collection of air-mail stamps and covers for exhibition*. On seeing the collection, all agreed it worthy of the first prize which was awarded it at the Melbourne Philatelic Exhibition last year. Mr Peers has direct links with some of the more remarkable flights, in the way of letter covers signed by the pilots concerned. These trophies include a letter carried by the Southern Cross over the Tasman, signed by Squadron-Leader C. E. Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieut. C. T. P. Ulm; one signed by Captain W. R. Lancaster from his England-Aus-tralia flight; and another signed by Flight-Lieutenants J. F. Moir and Owen, the Australians who got to England and back. In some instances Mr Peers has found special air mail letters of distinctive interest nearer home. Such are three covers taken by ’plane over the Alps after the disastrous West Coast earthquake, signed by Flight-Lieutenants M. W. Buckley and H. B. Burrell; and other missives taken on shorter flights such as Timaru-Christchurch, AshburtonChristchurch, Wellington-Blenheim, and Wellington-Christchurch. Perhaps the gem of the collection was the Trans-Atlantic error of 1924. Those present passed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Peers for allowing his collection to be exhibited. A cup of tea was indulged in, concluding a most enjoyable evening.