FLYING ENTHUSIASTS MEET AT HAMILTON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 482, 11 October 1928, Page 1

FLYING ENTHUSIASTS MEET AT HAMILTON

LACK OF MONEY ONLY HANDICAP TO THE FORMATION OF CLUB Lack of finance, but no lack of enthusiasm or keenness, seems to be the position in regard to establishing an aero club at Hamilton. It v/as made clear at a meeting addressed by representatives of the Auckland Aero Club last evening that Hamilton is keen to fly, but ’that a strong effort will have to be made to enlist the support of che business community and prominent townsmen if the town is to have a club of its own. Last evening’s meeting,, called by veen enthusiasts to discuss the possibilities of forming either a club, or a j branch of the Auckland Club, was preI sided over by .Mr. W. J. King. There | was an attendance of over TO, the ; majority of whom appeared keen to actually become pilots. The three visitors representing the Auckland Aero Club were Major G. H. C. Cowper (instructor), Captain B. Harkness and Mr. Spencer Mason. POSITION OUTLINED Major Cowper outlined the conditions under which the Auckland Club had been formed, and also explained the expense and the details concerning the training of pupils. He felt certain, although he was not in a position to commit himself, that if Hamilton decided to form a branch of the Auckland Aero Club; he would be permitted to. fly a machine to Hamilton at various times to carry out instruction. « Captain Harkness also dealt with the question of training pupils, and Mr. Mason. gave an idea of the great expense incurred in farming a club, and suggested that it might be better if Hamiltpn enthusiasts became associate members of the Auckland Club. He thought the question of forming even a separate branch should be deferred. Mr. King remarked that Hamilton was alive with young fellows anxious to form a. club, but he could see from those in attendance at the meeting, that there was not a great number of business men present, and it appeared as though it would prove a difficult task to gather the necessary finance. For the present, at any rate, it looked as though it would be a better scheme to link up with Auckland. It was finally decided to form a committee to consider the suggestions made by the Auckland visitors. Following are the committee: Messrs. P. Harkness, F. Gordon, M. A. Scott, R. G. Tappenden, E. N. Valintine and F. J. Blackmore. CLUB FOR NAPIER Press Association NAPIER, Wednesday. Following the example of other centres a well-attended public meeting at Napier to-night decided to form an aero club. A committee was appointed to obtain information regarding the acquisition of land for an airdrome.