COURAGE AND ENTERPRISE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 10, 26 March 1947, Page 5

COURAGE AND ENTERPRISE

DEMONSTRATED TO WHAKATANE BY AUCKLAND BUSINESSMAN / Mr E. B. Brown, General Manager of the Paper Mills interviewed our Strand reporter last Thursday 20th of February and announced an important milestone had been reached in Whakatane aviation history. Mr Brown explained that Mr J. B. O’Loghlen, Mrs Q’Loghlen, and Pilot Doug. Grigg were flying to Whakatane from Auckland on a private business trip. Would the ’Beacon’ „,be interested? vi'hfe paper sure would, but our '.man wanted to know where they coiilcl land. E. B. Brown didn’t know, but said, “Well you know Jocko, he will probably land in Nev. and Molly Bremner’s backyard down at the Commercial!”

Our man knows Jock O’Loghlen alright, for they are fellow-enthus-iasts in a private ‘Se.e Whakatane First’ campaign, and together have dragged visitors here from all over 'the wor],d.

Jock is a big, solid, clear-skinned and keen-eyed New Zealand son of Erin, agile of brain, and darned quick on his feet. The dark-pannelled walls of his head office in Auckland are literally covered with photographic records of pioneer airplane history, aeronautical trophies from worldknown pilots and navigators, and an amazing collection of coloured cartoons by J. C. Hill the famous Auckland Star artist depicting- friends and business associates, with thumbnail indications of each man’s profession deftly drawn in the background. Officials of the Whakatane Paper Mills are well represented in these works of art for J.B. has been a tower of strength to the Mill since its birth and before.

Sure enough, a few minutes after the phone call the man himself blew into sight in an ‘Auster’ three-seater cabin high-wing monoplane, buzzed the main street, flicked over the N.S.S. Coy’s ‘Otimai’ at the Heads and zoomed off towards the Mill. Pilot Doug. Grigg neatly slid his Auster into a paddock between Mr Shaw’s farm and the Mill buildings scarcely a stonethrow from those buildings, and history was in the malting.

This aircraft is one of the sweetest it has been our privilege to see She carries three Jn her cabin with comfort, and is powered with a 100 h.p. ‘Cirrus’ Minor in-line engine with a cruising speed ( of 80 to 85 m.p.h. top speed about the hundred and is equipped. with flaps the skillful handling of which will land her in almost any- football .field. Her pilot D. Grigg, explained that to the Aircraft .Service of'N.Z. Ltd. of Mangere, a company of,invaluable worth to budding Air Training amateur organisations, for they specialise in routine service and maintenance of all types of aircraft; whilst their professional advice is extremely knowledgeable and they extend flight services difficult to duplicate in this country. This craft is the civilian development of the famous Taylor-Craft Hedge-Hopper so deservedly renowned for its artillery spotting in wartime. ” ir > . • ■

Doug. Grigg was forced to picket his plane with a Maori pal in charge to prevent the cows from licking th edope from the fusilage, and, with strict instructions to be back by four “because I gotta go on shift” the party got down to business. Mr O’Loghlen used ten minutes to iron out a transport and delivery problem for the Paper Mill staff;, slipped into town to complete some arrangements at the Commercial Hotel in his capacity as director of Dominion Breweries —and organised an impromptu, and almost al fresco, meeting of the AERO CLUB officials.

, Unfortunately Mr C- H. Brebner was out of town, but the unofficial meeting comprised of Mr E. B. Brown, Mr T. Jordan, Mr Magnus Lennie, Mr Bob Oxenham, Mr Hamilton Morgan and our man.

As ever succint, Jock explained to his unofficial audience that if the Whakatane folks were not

careful .they would be hopelessly left in the. inevitable passen--3 ger and freight arrangements

far aircraft the Government will shortly have to make. He reiterated that if the County and Borough authorities could be left bickering over the simplest of issues; the Government would just as soon leave them to squabble, and look after someone who DID know their minds!

In the past, he understood, thousands of pounds had been promised for developments to Whakatane utilities—and sums had even been

placed in escrow against the Authorities pleasure;, but were lost, or still unused, through sheer lack of interest by aufhbrity.

With reference to the fact that not only did Mr J. O’Loghlen have the courage of his convictions, but that he was ably and graciously supported by his lady wife; Mr E. B. Brown brought the meeting to a slightly social close. His concluding remark is worthy of, permanance, said he, ‘Mr O’Loghlen does not live here. I wonder how many all-the-year residents of Whakatane would be game to fly home ( with. their wives, to a town without even, an old second-hand wind-sock hidden in the manuka!” •

A few minutes later the courageous little, plane was winging hom§ to Mangere less than, an hour away. Loft alone, our man is still pondering if the ‘Old Guard’ aren’t choosing an ATOMIC age to still •- harness us. all to the good old reliable never-let-yo.u-down horse and buggy!