THE AERO CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, 20 August 1929, Page 5

THE AERO CLUB.

PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSED. PROVISIONAL COMMITTEES SET UP. f NEED OF LANDING GROUNDS. The first meeting of the newlyformed Wairarapa Aero Club was held in Masterton last evening, there being a good attendance of aero enthusiasts. Provisional committees were elected and a consid erable amount of other preliminary business was transacted. There was some interesting discussion on the subject of landing grounds. Mr. R. W. Roydhouse presided, and there were also present the following members of the provisional executive elected at the previous meeting: Messrs W. L. Free, H. E. Hart, I. W. Grace, B. Russell, R. H. Anker, H. V. Snushall, and the acting hon. secretary, Mr. H. A. R. Dunderdale. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. R. D. McGregor, R. J. Young. T. Jordan and J. F. Thompson. Mr. C. C. Jaekson wrote regretting that owing to pressure of public business he could 'not accept office on the committee. ACQUISITION OF GROUNDS. < The chairman stated that the provisional committee set up had obtained a certain amount of information regarding the acquisition of grounds, but of ’rtMrae nothing definite could be accomplished just at this stage. The information they had obtained was, however, at the disposal of the meeting, and any questions would be fully answered. The chief business before the meeting was the enrolment of members and the question of the incorporation of the club. Aero landing "grounds must be found throughout the Dominion and to that end they would have to do their part. Acting on the advice of Major Wilkes and Major Isitt, it was proposed to have two landing grounds, one in South Wairarapa and one at Opaki. The one at Martinborough would have no buildings for a start and the one at Opaki would be provided with hangars, ana the *planes provided by the Wellington dub would be housed there. LETTERS FROM KINDRED CLUBS. A letter was received from Captain Trevor White, of the Hawke's Bay Aero Club, giving detailed information as to the method adopted to amalgamate the different clubs in his territory The Auckland and Marlborough Aero elubs wrote forwarding copies of their respective balance sheets. Mr. G. R. Sykes, MT., forwarded a copy of the Local Authorisation Empowering (Aviation Encouragement) Act. k Seventeen new members were enrolled, and it was decided to apply for incorporation. Colonel Hart moved that a committee of six be appointed to carry on the work of the club until such time as the rules were drawn up for submission to a general meeting. Eight nominations were received for the committee and a ballot resulted in the election of the foDowing:—Messrs. B. W. Roydhouse, W. L. Free, H. E. Hart. F. M. Cunningham, J. B. Le Quesne and E. S. Smith. It was decided that the Rules Committee meet on Monday evening next. The following were appointed a provisional finance committee, with power to act until the next meeting:—Messrs C. M. Bowden, W. L. Free and F. M. Cunningham. In answer to a question, the chairman stated that Major Isitt, Mr. Free and himself had motored through South Wairarapa and inspected the Featherston Camp and Martinborough, but the committee would have to apply to the r Minister of Defence for the report on this inspect! on. There were many suitable areas, but divided ownership and tile necessary fence lines created difficulties. The fence line problem could, of course, be more easily overcome in the case of single ownership. Messrs. R. H. Anker and A. T. Minehill referred to the suitability of a big area of ground near the Greytown Fruit Growing Company's property, which could be easily cleared and the stones rolled in. FAVOURABLE TERRITORY. Colonel Hart stated that there were not many territories with such a wide selection of suitable grounds as the Wairarapa. Stony ground was not such a serious problem with the modern methods of rolling. No definite steps could be taken in regard to the grounds until the local bodies obtained the necessary legal authority. Mr. Grace asked what would be the position of a man who would be willing to cssist the club with substantial fin nee, says £5OO. The '-cting-secretary (very promptly): “Oh. a life member, I suppose.” (Laughter.) Mr. Free was of the opinion that the holding of pageants, similar to those k held in Auckland, would be a source of revenue. Regarding suitable areas, Mr. Free stated that right through the Wairarapa Valley there were splendid emergency landing grounds. The Minister advocated landing grounds four or five miles out from a large centre, the idea being not to encroach on possible expansion by building. The pros<b of securing further suitable landgrounds in the Wairarapa were quite good. The question of the Martinborough landing ground was left in the hands of Messrs F. S. Michell and I. W. Grace to report on at a later meeting.