The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” MONDAY, MAY 16th, 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” MONDAY, MAY 16th, 1921.

AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND. Tin: development of aviation in Nc« Zealand was the subject of a statement recently by the Minister of Defence ( : ir Heaton Rhodes), who gave an outline of the work of the Air Board. Ill' Minister said that the Government had decided, after the matter bad been thoroughly considered by the Air Board, tu make provision for the development of aviation along lines which would enable tlie Dominion to possess civil aviaton for commercal and other needs, and at the same time to provide for the necessities for aerial defence in case of emergency. The key of the system was the Air Board, which would advize the Government on all sides of the ques tion. On the purely defence sidp the function of the board would be to advise the Government as to the purchase rent, and preparation of key aerodromes; the purchase and maintenance of war aeroplanes; and the inspection by members of the Defence staff of aviation schools and their equipment ; the institution of refresher courses for exit. A.F. pilots, so that the valuable training of these men might not be 1-r-t for the country; arid the allotment of Defence machines to civil companies. The survey of routes would be undertaken by officers of the Aviation Branch of the Defence Department or by any competent aviator, v‘ho might be deputed by the board to undertake the work. As defence aviation, owing to the great cost involved, could not be developed without the development of the commercial side, the board was also entrusted with the duty of advising how this development could best be promoted. The general lines of the board’s duty in this respect was to advise as to—(1) Companies or private individuals that might be subsidised for the conveyance of mails and passengers on approved routes; (2) the allotment by way of lftan or otherwise f Government machines ; (3) inspection of privately-owned machines; (4) the reservation of rights of particular companies or individuals to fly for hire within prescribed areas. The hoard would make recommendations as to contracts for passenger and mail services, and such contracts would be submitted t< the Minister of Defence and also the Post-mnater-General. On general linos the board would be an advisory an thority with respect to legislation regarding aviation, and would also consider and recommend in what direction assistance should be given to the Me teorologicnl Department, with a view to equipment’to meet the needs of aviation. Regulations controlling aviation i have already been framed and gazetted j The activities of the Air Board have j been chiefly confined to construct!."• and research work for the developm ->t

of civil aviation. Advising upon experimental air mail servees has been one of the branches of this work, 'n Air Force has not yet been estabhsh, ed, but it is hoped to shortly form a Territorial Air Force and to arrange for a refresher courses for ex-R.A.F. pilots and mechanics at the aviation schools already in existence. These courses will be instituted next year. With the object of establishing the ■nucleus of the a formation upon which can ultimately he built a New Zealand Air Force for the defence of our coasts the British Air Ministry has been ap-

proached with reference to the most re •cut developments in scout fighters ml torpedo-carrying aircraft, on the I-Her of which the Ministry has hem experimenting for some considerable time. Fince June 192(1, two additional civil aviation companies have been formed- one at Hastings and one at Timnru. The Timnru company received a loan of some of the gift machines mder similar conditions to those granted to the two older companies. These terms ensured the development of civil aviation, and provided for the maintenance of n fleet of aircraft capable of being converted for use on defence work

if required. There are now in the Dominion five aerodromes and one seaplane station maintaining a considerable fleet of aeroplanes, seaplanes, and flying boats.