LANDING GROUND WAS PICKED BY CAPTAIN DICKSON

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 12

LANDING GROUND WAS PICKED BY CAPTAIN DICKSON

PREPARED IN DAYS OF CANTERBURY AVIATION COMPANY’S FLIGHTS. That the work of the pioneers of aviation in New Zealand is still bearing fruit was demonstrated yesterday, when Captain Findlay, through a defect in the pressure petrol pump of his machine, was compelled to land on the 1 northern bank of the Conway River, The piece ol ground which afforded him a safe landing was prepared years ago against just such an emergency -as this, at the instance of the Canterbury Aviation Company. The defect in Captain Findlay’s machine was a minor technical defect, capable of speedy remedy at the hands of the mechanic, but it was of such a type as to make a landing imperative. The sole result has been that Captain Findlay has been submitted to a delay that, in the oil cumstances, is probably very, annoying. But for the work of the Canterbury Aviation Company, however, more than a mere delay might have been involved. When the Canterbury Aviation Com* pany was in existence landing grounds were prepared in various parts of New Zealand. For the purposing of flying to Wellington Captain Euan Dickson selected suitable emergency landing grounds, among them the ground at Claverley, on which Captain Findlay

landed yesterday. Another ground was on Mr W. Bullen’s property at Kaikoura, and it was on this ground that Captain Dickson landed to refuel on the occasion of the first, flight from Christchurch to Wellington. On that occasion Captain Dickson had with him Mr C. IT. Hewlett as passenger and Mr J. E. Moore as mechanic. Claverley, where Captain Findlay landed yesterday,- is the property of Mr C. H. Ecc.le-s. The station is difficult, of access, though a road is now being formed to it. At present access can be obtained only by crossing the Conway River three times.

The policy, of the Canterbury. Aviation Company was to encourage the owners of suitable land to make it available for emergency landings. The land .owners entered into the spirit of the enterprise and the, selected landing grounds were marked off. It is interesting to recall that it. was the Canterbury Aviation Company, that was primarily responsible' for arousing enthusiasm at Blenheim, an enthusiasm that resulted in the provision of land; ing grounds at that place. The landing effected by Captain Findlay yesterday aroused the warmest admiration of the other members of the party, who characterised it as a particularly fine piece of work. As soon as Captain Findlay was forced to descend, the remaining two machines circled round him three times. It

could be seen that the propeller of his machine was still revolving after he had landed, which indicated that his engine was undamaged. As soon as the machine came to a standstill Captain Findlay alighted and waved to his comrades in the air. With this assurance that all was well the other two machines continued on their flight to Christchurch.

Captain Findiay stated last evening that the machine was not damaged in any way. It was not anticipated that the nec.essarv adjustments would take up very much time, and therefore it should be possible to get an early start for Christchurch this morning. Captain Findlay anticipated that, provided the weather is suitable, he would reach the Sockburn Aerodrome at 10 a.m. . to-day.