AVIATION AND PAEROA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5476, 18 September 1929, Page 2

AVIATION AND PAEROA

AUCKLAND FLIERS COMING. OCTOBER 2 SUGGESTED. At the last meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council the following letter from the secretary of the Auckland Aero Club was discussed “Some months ago my club realised that the main obstacle in the progress of aviation was the lack of suitable landing grounds in the country. In an endeavour to remedy matters, most of the borough councils throughout the North Island were circularised and asked to furnish data regarding land available, the intention being for the club to file replies and pass them on to the Government for action. This procedure, however, has proved to be unwieldy, and it is considered that a practical demonstration would awaken interest in the various centres, so that they themselves would take the necessary steps.

“It is almost a daily occurrence for my club to be approached with the request that a person be conveyed to country centres, but in the absence of a landing ground in that centre, and, what is almost as important, in the absence of intervening landing grounds, the request cannot be complied with. My club, therefore, has decided to send a flight of two or more ’planes round the North Island, for the purpose of discussing landing grounds, and matters of aviation, and should arrive in your centre on October 2, at 10 a.m., leaving again at 3 p.m. I am also writing to the president of the Chamber of Commerce in your centre, and would appreciate it if you could arrange a conference between our representatives, on their arrival, and a number of your prominent citizens, including, of course, yourself, and a number of your councillors. The movement may then be discussed and something concrete suggested. “It may be known to you that in other countries, such as Germany and America, the rudiments of flying are taught in’ the public schools, and it seems to my committee that action of this kind is vital to the welfare of the Dominion. lam instructed to ask you to issue an open invitation to the various schools in your district for the pupils to be present to witness the arrival of our- flight and generally inspect the planes. Details can be arranged later regarding the controlling of spectators in order that the landing ground may be kept perfectly clear.” The Mayor expressed his great pleasure at the prospect of the proposed visit, and stated that personally he was looking forward to it and would offer all assistance possible. The future was in the hands of aviators, and the visit should therefore be made as successful as possible. Or .Brenan intimated that the Ohinemuri Jockey Club would be pleased to render every assistance possible. The Mayor remarked in conclusion that it was another instance to show how regrettable was the absence of a Chamber 6f Commerce in Paeroa. An effort should be made to resuscitate the chamber, and with its co-opera-tion to make the visit a success.