The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1933. THE AIR SENSE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1933. THE AIR SENSE.

There are signs that the district is developing an air tense. The gentlemen wiu i.ave been responsib.e for initiating the local aerodrome movement, have performed a service which will continue to show good results as time goes on. The work done at the aeroplane landing on the south side of the river, is very considerable, ihe ground has been unproved greatly, The area usa-bie is now considerable, and the landing is quite equal to the needs of such planes as the Southern Cross. Since an aeroplane became established here through the good offices of Mr Naneekivcll, the interest in flying has grown greatly. This pioneer work has led to several visaing airmen coming this way, and it may now be said that the landing lie.© is widely known throughout the Dominion. The varoug military airmen who have inspected the local site, are all pleased with its capabilities, and as time goes on it is being more and mor© adapted to the needs of safe landing. Captain Mercer ..who has been a frequent visitor, speaks highly of the accommodation afforded, and from now on the field will grow more and more in favour. Another local plane will soon be arriving here. Mr H. T. Parry is importing a Red Wing, one of the latest dual seated machines produced in England Th. 2 > machine has arrived in New Zealand, and will be assembled at Wigram, and be flown cress the alps to its permanent locale. Two being established here must give flying a great impetus, and it will not be eurprisiig if Mr Parry’s importation pleases the critics, other machines of a like type will be imported. The flights which have been made to South Westland suggest the possibility of a regular connection with the isolated places, and it is not hard to visualise that the day cannot be far distant before, with the help of a mail subsidy, a regular serial service connection with the south district is established. There is no reason why this should not be brought about with local enterprise, seeing that residents have already shown such practical interest in the establishment of a flying centre here. The opportunity should therefore be near at hand to see such a forward sto" £is air connection with South Westland established and not at any remote date either. One aspect of the prospect in aerial development, is the youthful interest in the making and {Tying of model aeroplanes. This is capable of groat deve’rpment here, as elsewhere, and is the best introduction to the air spirit among those from whom the ranks of fliers are to he dra vn. Much interest can he engendered in model aeroplane flying, and it is not surpripng to fil'd t 1 is kmd of useful sport taking a hold of the rising generation, who ere becoming more and more interested in the horn art of flying. Matters are thus shaping in n, very promising manner for the growing success of flyng here, and with the landing ground further improved ther© should be the oppor-

tunity in the coming , (summer of organising an air pageant iw s fu. t:miaul to developing the local air sense.