CIVIL AVIATION.

Wairarapa Age, 12 August 1930, Page 5

CIVIL AVIATION.

DEVELOPMENT IN DOMINION RETARDED. PROVISION OF GROUND ORGANISATION. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES. (By Telegraph.—“ The Age” Special.) WELLINGTON, August 11. “The development of civil aviation in New Zealand, has been retarded by the cost of providing adequate ground organisation and the difficulty experienced in selecting suitable landing grounds,” states the annual report of the Defence Department. “Local bodies throughout the Dominion, however, now realise their responsibilities in this direction and are making strenuous efforts to provide suitable aerodromes in their own districts. * “Selected areas on possible airline routes are being constantly examined and classified by Air Force officers. At present there are in the Dominion, apart from two Air Force stations, seven aerodromes licensed for the uso of light ’planes and twelve others in various stages of development.” The report states that there are fourteen aero clubs, of which seven are actively training pilots. Some of these clubs have provided their own aerodrome and others intend to obtain pilot instruction by arrangement with stronger clubs or commercial firms. Five of these elubs, the Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and East Coast, Wellington, Marlborough and Canterbury aero clubs have been approved by the Government for the purpose of a subsidy and each club, except Wellington, has received two Moth aeroplanes, making a total of nine Government ’planes on loan to the club. The Wellington Aero Club will receive its second machine when the elub has made further progress. It is not possible to subsidise all clubs whieh apply for Government assistance and the present intention is to recommend a total of seven aero clubs for a Government grant. Since the inception of the aero clubs 76 members have received pilot training and have qualified for their flying certificates. During the past year three Moth aeroplanes, seriously damaged during pupil instruction, have been completely rebuilt at Wigram Aerodrome at the Government’s expense. The five clubs subsidised by the Government have held air pageants with the object of raising funds and fostering the air sense of the general public. In each ease three or four service machines piloted by Air Force officers have participated. As yet no civil air lines have commenced operations in the Dominion. (No mention is made of the Wairarapa Aero Club being approved for subsidy. The reason probably may bo t*at the report deals with developments only up to March 31 last.)