TIMARU AIR PORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19155, 11 April 1932, Page 10

TIMARU AIR PORT

OFFICIALLY OPENED LARGE CROWDS GATHER The Timaru airport, established by New Zealand Airways, Letd., at Saltwater Creek, was officially opened on Saturday afternoon by the Mayor (Mr r. W. Satterthwaite) in the presence 3f an exceptionally large gathering cf people. Conditions at the start of proceedings were overcast, but were ideal for such an event, as there was no strain on the ej r es as they were turned skywards to follow the movements of the several ’planes taking part. Further, conditions were welcomed by the pilots, who prefer to take the air when there is no glaring sun. The opening of the airport provided the first occasion on which an air pageant had been conducted in the town. ’Planes had previously passed over the town in great numbers proceeding to and returning from pageants held in other centres, but there had not previously been assembled twelve planes from various parts of the Dominion, which were to be associated in a programme of manoeuvres and stunts for the benefit of the public of Timaru only. From quite early in the afternoon cars began to make for the grounds, and by I.SO 1-3 officials were experiencing a rush. Between 2 o’clock and the hour appointed for the commencement of activities, people literally streamed into the grounds, but just as many sought vantage points on nearby hillsides. A glance round the hill at the back of the Caledonian Grounds and to the left' of the main road as the pageant was got under way, revealed streets lined with cars, with groups of people numbering several hundreds dotted about in various places. The number who preferred a close-up view was surprisingly large, and the police and members of military units had no small task to keep the grounds clear. The opening of the airport marked a step forward in the progress of aviation here, and it was felt by the promoters that the holding of a display would serve to stimulate public interest in flying. That the objective was achieved may be gauged from the attendance, and from the large number who took the opportunity of having short flights when the programme had been completed. To most of those present, the events were quite novel r,nd full of interest, despite the fact that the public have been privileged to witness “stunting” displays on numerous occasions. The events were got off as expeditiously as possible, and credit is due to the officials for the manner in which the pageant was staged. The officials who controlled the pageant were:— Judges Squadron Leader T. M. Wilkes, M.C., Squadron Leader J. M. Findlay, M.C., Flight Lieutenant M. W. Buckley, Flight Lieutenant Somerset Thomas; starter, Colonel S. D. Mason; controller of events, Mr B. Shiel. Aviation Officer for the Vacuum Oil Co., Pty., Ltd.; Timekeeper, Mr J. D. Fraser; secretaries, Mr J. P. Lamb ?.nd Mr H. J. Lee; announcer, Mr R. Richards. It was hoped to have fifteen ’planes on the ground, but unfortunately two machines from the south, and one from the north, were prevented from attending. The pilots who took part included Sir Bruce Stewart; Squadron Leader J. M. Findlay, M.C. (D.H. Moth); Flight Lieutenant M. W. Buckley (Hawker Tomtit); Flight Lieutenant Somerset Thomas (D.H. Moth); Squadron Leader T. W. White (Simmonds Spartan); Flight Lieutenant J. D. Hewett, Auckland (D.H. Moth); Flight Lieutenant J. C. Mercer (D.H. Moth); Pilot Officer J. J. Bush (D.H. Moth); Mr D. Campbell (D.H. Moth); Mr R. Hudson (D.H. Moth); Flying Officer J. H. Smith (D.H. Moth). Two Otago ’planes, piloted by Messrs Campbell and Hudson were held up in the south owing to weather conditions, and did not arrive until 4.15. A Marlborough Aero Club Moth ’plane also took part. During the afternoon, enjoyable music was provided by the Municipal Band, under Lieut. W. H. Osborne. Opening Ceremony. The airport was declared officially open by the Mayor of Timaru (Mjr T. W. Satterthwaite), who was accompanied on the platform by the Mayoress, members of the Borough Council and their wives, aviation and military officials, and other representative citizens. Mr H. M. Mackay, managing director of New Zealand Airways Ltd., said it was his privilege to introduce the Mayor of Timaru, who would officially open the airport. He desired to pay a tribute to the Major and Councillors whose keen interest and enthusiastic efforts were largely responsible for the present appearance of the aerodrome The Council had realised their responsibilities with regard to the provision of air transport, and as time went on everyone would appreciate that the step had been a most progressive one (Applause). The Mayor said that that day Timaru was making history, and he was glad to see public interest so manifest on such a “red letter” occasion. Undoubtedly', the happiest man present was Squadron Leader T. W. White (Applause). On behalf of the Borough Council and the citizens of Timaru. he congratulated Squadron Leader White for his enthusiasm in directing the work which had made an airport foi Timaru an accomplished fact. Congratulations should be extended also he said, to New Zealand Airways. Ltd. for their enterprise in selecting Timan; as a port. Sixty or seventy years ago, continued the Mavor, the present area had practically been selected as Timaru’s seai port, but the idea had never taker material form, as no doubt the site was I destined to become an airport. At pre- | sent, he said, he did not think there ! was another town in New Zealand with 1 such excellent airport facilities as Timaru. With grounds at Saltwatei j Creek and Washdyke, they were very i favourably established. Referring to the ground it was iik pleasure to open that day, the Mayoi said that when the preparation of th; area for an airport was commenced ir December 1931, the ground was very rough, and much credit was due tc New Zealand Airways, Limited, for its enterprise in erecting a hangar and I improving the site. As planned, fur- ' ther development of the area was pro- ! ceeding, and when completed it would j give Timaru an airport equal in size j to the largest aerodrome in New Zeaj land, thus permitting the larger pass- ! enger-carry ? ng ’planes of the size o; i the “Southern Cross” to land at Timaru. An outstanding advantage ir the establishment of the Saltwatei Creek port, was its closeness to town connection with which could be made easily by motor omnibus service. Majoi repairs tc aircraft and complete conI struction of ’planes could now be carried out at Timaru, and at present £ three-seater aeroplane was in th £ course of being built. Constant service | was available for aviators, thus en-

couraging aerial visitors from all over the Dominion. A flying school, modelled on lines similar to the develooment of commercial flying schools in England, was in regular operation. Six Timaru pupils had Leon sent solo, and a number of others were under instruction. Timaru had now the only commercial aircraft company operat'ng in the South Island, and in the event of passenger services being inaugurated, ? journey from Timaru to Wellington and from Timaru to the Bluff could be completed in two hours, a saving of a day’s travel in each case. As ten 'planes flying in s ; ngle line formation swooped past the platform the Mayor acknowledged the salute, and declared the port open, in the midst of much enthusiasm. The Municial Band completed the ceremony with the National Anthem.

The official programme was then proceeded with, this being a novelty event- for pilots. The competitors we:.c Squadron-Leader T. White (Timaru;. Flight-Lieutenant J. C. Mercer (Canterbury Club), and Flying-Officer J. Smith (Southland Club). The pilots were required to run ten yards, mount draught horses and ride about thirty yards, dismount and complete the trip to. their ’planes on tricycles. SquadronLeader White got a flying start on uis steed, and was astride his tricycle before the others had dismounted. Being small of stature he was able to get along quite well, but the others caused much amusement by their efforts to propel their iron steeds. The Timaru airman was on his way before the others reached their machines, and ne scored an easy win in 3min 7 l-ssecs. Flight-Lieutenant Mercer finished second. Aerial Derby. For the Timaru aerial derby there were four competitors, Squadron-Lead-ers J. M. Findlay and White, Flight- ! Lieutenant J. D. Hewett and FlyingOfficer J. H. Smith. The competitors were obliged to circle twice over a triangular course, which was in full view of the crowd. Elaborate a~~angements were made to ensure that the race was held under conditions similar to races held overseas. For the first time in the Dominion, signal systems were established at each of the turning pylons, to prevent machines cutting corners. Lucas signal lames were placed at each station, and at the key station on a platform on top of the hangar at the airport. As each machine rounded the pylon, it was im- | mediately reported to the key station if it cornered correctly. This enabled the judge, Squadron-Leader T. Wilkes, , to know if any machines did not cora!plete the course, before the first one j crosses the finishing line. The signal system was in the hands of FlyingOfficer G. Buckley, N.Z. Air Force, assisted by Messrs J. D. Hughes, R. S. , Wheeler and C. D. Cunnold. of the Telegraph Department, and Mr H. I<. Walker, signal officer of the Timaru Harbour Board. Squadron-Leader Findlay got the best of the despatch, followed oy Flight-Lieutenant Mercer and Squad-ron-Leader White. Completing the first lap, Squadron-Leader White had overtaken the leader, but at this stage he withdrew from the contest, leaving i Squadron-Leader Findlay to complete ' the second lap an easy winner in 4min 13secs. Flight-Lieutenant Mercer was ( second and Pilot-Officer Smith third. Novel Cars. I There then appeared on the ground “Lizard” Smith, in his racing car, and the Dark Town Fire Brigade. The former met with a mishap before entering the enclosure, striking two or three people, and knocking them down, i Later the car appeared to get out of control when in reverse gear, and crashed into the crowd, who scattered in all directions. Several people were knocked down, and two or three chffdren had to receive medical attention, one girl’s face being badly cut. The driver was then “officially advised” to , cease operations. The “Fire Brigade” car, with its antiquated contraptions and antics, caused a good deal of merriment. Bomb Raid. The mock bomb raid and aerial duel caused plenty of diversion. A bomb.ng machine attacked the airport and was engaged by an attachment of the loert Machine Gun Division of the South Canterbury Regiment. The attacking aeroplane endeavoured to bomb the gunners, while an Air Force fighting machine took off to engage the enemy. lAn aerial dual took place with one of I the .machines finally gaining supremacy, and shooting the other down >ut of control. The latter gave a fine exhibition of the falling leaf. Aerobat’cr. Several machines then went aloft, , three of them giving an exhibition of formation fljffng. Pilot-Officer Sm.th ' delighted the crowd with a clever exhibition of aerobatics, performing a I full turn, Immelman’s turn, flick roll, ; full loop, full roll and side flying at a low altitude. Squadron-Leader White demonstrated slow control of a machine, while : Flight-Lieutenant S. Thomas in "-he 1 Hawker Tomtit, displayed the great J speed which the machine is capable of attaining. r A short glider flight by Squadron- • Leader White, in a glider constructed 5 by Mr W. M. Angus, of Timaru. created 1 a good deal of attention, the machine • covering about thirty yards before ' alighting. 1 Efforts by two or three airmen to 1 bomb a small car which kept on the 5 move provided variety in the pro- • gramme, but no direct hits were scored, although Squadron-Leader White ■ went very close on two occasions. 5 Conditions were not favourable for ) the display of balloon bursting, as the ■ balloons would not rise. One reached ; a sufficient height, however, to enable • a pilot to burst it with his propeller. i The concluding item was the airport ; farewell. All the ’planes took the ; air, and from some of them small » parachutes to which were attached : gifts were released. Some came down ■ on the grounds, but one or two floated , a considerable distance, and it was not , known whether they were recovered, i The crowds swarmed the ground to retrieve the parachutes, but the enl closure was quickly cleared to enable ■ the ’planes to alight again. Passenger flights were then conducti ed until dark. 5 The day’s activities were capped - with a cabaret at night, at which ; prizes won during the pageant weie i presented by Mrs J. M. Findlay. A height-estimating competition was • won by Mr A. J. Allport. The pilot of j a ’plane fired a pistol at an elevation of 2155 feet, and the winner’s guess 3 was 2152. Miss Holdgate was second. - with an estimate of 2150.