VALUABLE ACTIVITY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 39, 2 March 1937, Page 3

VALUABLE ACTIVITY

Construction of Model Aeroplaiies display by club From the aspects of education, and defence alone, the activities of the Hastings Model Aeroplane Olub were deserving of the fullest support, said tbe Mayor of Hastings, Mr G. A. Maddison, in opening a display given by the club last night. |Encouragement was needed for such a valuable movement, continued His Worship, who expressod the hope that it would have every success. The Hastings club was started last year and now is a numerically strong body. Last night was a gala nigjht for the club members, when it threw open its display of model planes for pubiic inspection. Some 50 planes, of all sizes and types, were ranged round the walls of the room, and the members of the pubiic who attended found much to interest and enlighten them. In addition to the Mayor there were preseut Mr E. L. Cullen, M.P. Mr W. E. Bate, representing the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, and Mr G. E. Itogers, representing the Hastings Progress League. Mr R. Burnham presided and introduced the Mayor. Model aeroplane building, he stated, was an up-to-date and scientific hobby, and had succeeded in coming to the fore in Hastings. Members of the club, in their model construction, followed the principles of the aetual machines in flight, and their construction was not child's play. The members had to build on scientific principles and had to set their machines accurately so as to oontrol their flight. "This is a particularly fine exhibition," said Mr Maddison. "I realise and appreciate your enthusiasm, c.nd, in consenting to open this exhibition. I saw that ita wasi my duty as chief citizen to ally mysejf with this important work." Hargreaves' Work. \ The Mayor referred to the pioneer work.on aeroplanes carried out by Lawrence Hargreaves at Sydney in 1886 and traced his experiments with model 'planes, from which the first actual flying machine was developed.- "You have much in common with Hargreaves," remarked Mr Maddison. "I am partiouiarly interested in your movement toi tw0 reasons. First,- from an educationaJ viewpoint, in that, with increased Jeisure hours, it is essential for social sta* bility that we should indulge in a hob* by, and this club provides a means of thus developing good citizens; and seoondly, from a defence viewpoint. I believe that New Zealand can only face iip to defence with an adequate defence force, and the training that you are now receiving is developing your .airmindedness and will enable you to take your part if the need arises." Mr Maddison stated that the excellent results achieved by the club since its inception gp,ve some fdea of the perfection that had been reached. "I appeal to the Government to support such a valuable movement,'' concluded Mr Maddison^ in declaring the exhibition open. Initiatiye Shown. Mr Cullen congratulated the members on the initiative they had shown in forming the olub and on the magnificent display which showed the industrious and patient work that had been done. The models showed work of high technique "I hope that the future pilpts of the club will have some Government assistance in pursuing their work," confcinued Mr Cullen. New Zealand had some prominent figures in the pilots of tbe world, and, as the years went on, the Dominion was gradually becoming more air-minded. "I congratulate you on a magnificent display and wish you every success," he concluded. To those who have not come in touch with the model aeroplane movement, fche models on display last night were a revelation. Included among the exbibits were eome costly 'planes, powered by petrol motors, with the majorjty however, driven by rubber-power propellers. The show was a most attracfcive one, and the visitors were all obviously impressed with the splendid quality of the work Last night's display should still further popularise this movement in Hastings and- district.