FLYING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1917, Page 6

FLYING IN NEW ZEALAND.

HELPING TO WLN THE WAR, ' (Special Correspondent). Wellington, Nov. 11. Many of Hie visitors to tin* Canterbury Carnival Week have returned tlie South more impressed with what they saw of the Canterbury Aviation Company's Flying School at Soeklmrn than with tlie splendid race for the New Zealand Cup at Eiccarton or the fine display of stock at the Metropolitan Show at Addington. The management of the school lias been altogether too diffident in advertising its patriotic work and many people- still are under the impression that its thoroughly equipped establishment, which already lias turned out a considerable number of pupils with their pilot's certificate, is merely a commercial undertaking. This is very far from being the truth. The school was originally promoted by Mr. H. F. Wigram, who, long before the war, has urging from his place in the Legislative Council that the aeroplane was to play an important part in the defence of tlie Empire, and that New Zealand ought to he preparing to take its part in this new development. ■ _'„.... THE SCHOOL. Mr. Wigi-am failed to make much impression upon the politicians, though they all admitted the soundness of his contentions, and when the war broke out and his predictions were on the point of realisation he submitted his scheme for the establishment of a (lying school to the patriotic people of Canterbury. It made little appeal to the purely colnmwial man, as dividends were not among the direct advantages it was expected to bring to the investor, but the promoter's enthusiasm proved infections, and very soon the necessary capital to "ive it practical expression was available. A block of suitable land, some 130 acres in extent, about eight miles from Christchurch was secured and it is here tlie school is now established, equipped with three large hangars, eacli capable of housing three aeroplanes, a. work-shop, supolied with electric .power from Lake Coleridge and fitted with modern machinery, and up-to-date quarters for the instructor and his pupils.

ITS OBJECT-3. Ki.at JJr. Wigram and his colleagues in this patriotic enterprise sot out tb do was to provide at a minimum cost to the pupils a thorough preliminary training; for young Xpw Zcalanders anx'.ous to devote themselves to tho flying =crvic" of Hip Kmpiro. Tlipv were lucky enough with the assistance of th (iovnrnment and the High Commissioner, to secure Mr. Cecil ]WcKc.n/,io Hill, one oT the most distinguished flying men of the Old Country and a highiy skilled mechanic, as instructor and under this gentleman's management and direction the .school has realised the most sansuinc expectations of its promoters. Of course the. pupil's training is not completed in New Zealand. Afler taking the pilot's certificate, which tliey may do after flix weeks or two months of study and practice, thoy are sehfMTome to undergo a further course of instruction, which may include a. variety of subjects, such as map reading, wireless, signalling, nari.aation and so forth that could not 1).? taught here except at lar;e additional expenss rUPILS. % Tlie thoroughness of the instruction provided by tlie school has been proved by tlie marked efficiency nf tlie pupil? it has prepared for the futher course prescribed by the Royal Flying Corps. The excellence of its equipment is open for everyone to see. What it wants now is pupils, more pupils and still more pupils. The way is made easy for any young man with tlie necessary spirit, physical stamina ami education, lie must be of Hritish parentage, between cight.'en and twenty-live years of age and capable of passing a stiff medical examination. The training Jirr? is not free but the cost to tin? pupil or his friends is made so lowthat it is hoped no suitable youth will be debarred from taking the preliminary conr-e. and with bis pilot's certificate in his pocket be will iind the door leading to opportunity and achievement thrown wide open to him.