TRIBUTES PAID

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 37, 13 February 1930, Page 11

TRIBUTES PAID

GHICHESTER'S FLIGHT STIMULUS TO AVIATION AEEO CLUB'S DINNER Tributes to the performance of Mr. F. Chichester,' in flying alone from England to Australia, wero paid at a dinner given in his honour by tho Wellington Aero Club last evening. Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, President of the .Club, occupied the chair. The toast of "The Government" was proposed by Mr. J. "N. Wallace, who said that the N.Z. Government had given every encouragement, financial and moral, to the development of aviation in New Zealand. That fact had met with the hearty approval of every member of the community; the smallest stockholders in this country, so to speak, felt that their directors, the Government, had in no way neglected their duty. Aviation, as an interest. of tremendous national importance, was probably the most-recent to affect tho countries'of the world. It had revolutionised the problems of national defence; it had facilitated transport; tind Uad introduced a new form of spprt. But here in New Zealand we had so recently started the new game that it would be realised that years of research and experiment lay ahead of aur aviators before peculiarities of .the climate, air currents, and topography, were properly understood. That study wouid be possible chiefly through the financial support''of a farseeing Government. The- Government had stepped into tho breach, and had passed legislation authorising various 'municipalities to borrow'up to £5000 without a poll. It had also supplied a, number of machines. Before that it went in for air bases in Now Zealand, and trained pilots. The Government meant everything in New Zealand for aviation, and it was doing its bit. "AN INSPIRATION." ' Replying, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, expressed his pleasure at being able to welcome Mr. Chichester. Not only in aviation, but in all those great things that had been achieved along the line of progress, the greatest things had been done by trail-blazers such as their, guest. It was impossible to say what aviation would mean to the world, and it was clear even to the most practical that there was a great deal more than mere imagination in the aspirations of those five citizens^ of New Zealand who ware combining into aero clubs to develop the air services, not only of New Zealand, but of the Empire. NW Zealand owed a debt of "ratitude to those enthusiasts. No other part of the world would benefit more by the establishment of commercial air services than would New Zealand,' in her isolated position. It was fitting that a young New Zealander should be receiving tho honour of his fellow citizens for having blazed the trail. ■ Mr. Veitch went on to say that the legislation already adopted had been intended largely as a beginning and an encouragement to our citizens; much more would have to be done. Although lie held the portfolio of transport, it happened. that legislation connected with the air was in the bands of the Minister of Defence. Mr. Veitcli referred to the air services in other parts, and said that it could- be found that commercial air services were really an established institution.-He congratulated Mr. Chichester oi: the excellent service he had rendered to New, Zealand. Some .might look on his effort as just the effort of a good sport, but. if that were all the value that could be found in his work, the risk would not be worth while. Mr. Chichester had done something of great value to New Zealand; something of value to all the' world. He had given a fine inspiration to tho young of New Zealand, and' had proved that the greatest achievements of the air were within reach of any resourceful, co6l:headeil man who was prepared to try. He had also proved that the achievements were within reach "without a protracted period of training, which led one to hope that as the years went by our young men would take to tho air services. Ho had also bound British hearts more closely together. The Minister referred to the illfated Tasman attempt, and paid a tribute to the flyers, Lieut. Moncneff and Captain Hood. He went on to refer to the benefits to be derived from the exchange of visits among peoples, and said that all honour was due to those who led the world in aviation or in sport and had so spread the cement of goodwill of which the world stood bo much in need. ' Mr. T. C. A. Hislop proposed the toast of "Our Guest," and referred humorously to the difficulty of getting the airman to make a speech. He spoke in appreciation of Mr. Chichester's performance, and said that though the feelings of non-flyers were of admiration, they were reinforced by the thought that hardened flyers had also joined in the admiration. On behalf of the Wellington Aero Club Mr. Hislop presented Mr. Chichester with a medallion bearing the following inscription: "To Francis Chiehester, from the 'Wellington Aero Club, in recognition of his solo flight from England to Australia, 1929-30." , . The toast was drunk with musical honours. LUCK WITH HIM. Replying, Mr. Chichester said that if he had brought honour to New Zealand he was very fortunate. He had had luck, and "if you saw some of my landings you would know how much I have been helped in that respect," he said. In addition, he received a great deal of assistance all along the route, commencing with the Air Ministry in England. Tho business people, like the Shell: officials, had tilso helped, especially in the arranging of accommodation. He said ho had been, asked to compare his flight with Hinkler 's, but since Hinklcr made his flight the improvements in engines, ■ etc., would make a fourteen day flight now equal to Hinkler's 16-day effort. As one went, along the route one could not help admiring Hinkler's work. It was doubtful if that flight would be equalled for a long time. "The Wellington City Council" was proposed by Mr. J. IT. B. Stevenson, ■who said that they all hoped that the council would be the father and mother of our civil aviation. An amazing amount of work had been done by the Wellington City Council and the citizens of Wellington. The milestone that was passed when the Mayor opened the aerodrome would be regarded as marking a new epoch. If people were encouraged by their city authorities they would take to flying. He suggested that the land at Rongotai upon which Ihc bitumen plant stood should be incorporated in the aerodrome, and also that a nominal fee should be charged to join the club, because the young iver'c being taught to fly. He commended the action of the city fathers in what they had (lone in regard to aviation, and he paid a tribute to the proprietors of "The Post" in presenting a 'plane. ' Councillor W. IT. Bennett replied to the toast, and said that tho providing of an area for the needs of the Aero Cii]l> was a difficult problem. If nuy- -'■•..>., iv.ns needed to give impetus to

.he club it was the success of their guest. He concluded by remarking that he >was willing to bo initiated as a non-flying member of tho Aero Club. THE AIR FORCE. Mr. W. Nisbet proposed the toast of "Tho New Zealand Air Force," and when referring to aviation generally appealed to business men and others to join the Wellington; Aero Club, as a ■tribute to Mr. Chichester's effort. The New Zealand Permanent Air Force was very small in quantity, but strong in quality. The toast was replied to by WmgCommander Grant-Dalton,' who said that all pilots had admired Mr. Chichester 'a effort. In a long-distance flight there were many dangers. In the first hour, till a certain amount of petrol was. consumed, the machine was dangerous. Navigation over vast stretches of desert and water was difficult on account of " drift, " and in that respect Mr. Chichester's effort was noteworthy. Tho New Zealand Air Force work at present being done at Wigram was extraordinarily good. At present tho staff was small, and more officers and mechanics would havo to be provided. He wanted aero clubs to know that the Defence Department was willing to assist in connection with pageants, and he suggested that pilots should let the Department know what expense they had been put to in attending pageants. He expressed thanks for the manner in which the toast had been honoured, and trusted that they would see the New Zealand Air Force grow. During the evening a programme of musical items was contributed by Messrs. C. A. Williams, W. B. Brown, and W. Goudie. The proceedings closed with "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Savo the King." ; •