AERIAL TARGET

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 145, 15 March 1939, Page 6

AERIAL TARGET

Guns And Searchlights In Napier

ANTI-AIRCRAFT PRACTICE Dominion Special Service. HASTINGS. March .11. A spectacular searchlight display was witnessed in Hastings tonight wheu the 22nd Anti-Aircraft Battery from Fort Dorset, Wellington, which is at present iu camp at Greennteadows, held a searchlight practice with three .searchlights, one located at St. George's Road, one in Tuki Tuki, and one in the Havelock Hills.

The target was a Gipsy Tiger Moth plane piloted by the Hustings club instructor, Mr. E. 11. Ilarvie. The plane, shortly after taking off. was picked up by the searchlights with the aid of sound locators. A large crowd of townspeople watched the display, which lusted for two hours. Target Practice. Much interest was aroused in Hustings today by the appearance of the Superntarine 'Walrus Amphibian plane front H.M.S. Leander overhead towing a drogue at a considerable distance behind. The machine vanished in the direction of Napier, where practice target shooting with live shells was carried out front Marine Parade. Several other days during the week will be devoted to live-shell practice from the beach, and suitable warning devices have been employed to assist shipping in keeping away from the danger zone. The activities of the battery litis afternoon were followed by a large crowd. Tomorrow the battery will bold liveshell practice on Awatoto beach, with a drogue towed by the amphibian for a target.