IN THE AIR

Daily Telegraph (Napier), 13 December 1930, Page 5

IN THE AIR

H.B. AND E.C. AERO CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual general meeting of the Hawke's Bay and "East Coast Aero Club was held in Hastings last night, the president, Sir Andrew Russell, presiding over an attendance of about 25 members. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS. In moving the adoption of the annual report (which has already been published), the president said that the club could congratulate itself on its year's work, both financially and for the progress of flying. During the year the services of Captain "White had been lost to the club and those who realised his great value to the club in its infancy and since its inception, realised the great worth of his work. Unfortunately Captain White had injured his hand, but now he had received a position in Otago and would soon be able to resume his duties. The chairman wished Captain White the best of luck in his new sphere. The chairman again stressed the need for a good airport in Hastings. Sir Andrew pointed out that when this had previously been mentioned, the impression had gone abroad that the club was out with its own axe to grind. He wished to make it quite plain that the club had no interest whatever in an airport, other than as citizens of Hastings and the district as an aero club, the club itself was fully equipped with an up-to-date aerodrome and it was apart from this that the club was interested in an airport, WATCH ITS STEP. The coming year would bring financial difficulties to many people as citizens, and consequently, the club would also have to "watch its step." He hoped the club would be able to continue to function on a good financial basis, but he hoped that membership would not fall any lower; Now that there was activity in Napier, the membership should increase and be hoped that Napier would meet with success in its efforts. The club, however, was in a satisfactory position and he congratulated the members on the work they had done in the past 12 months. SOME QUESTIONS ASKED. In commenting on tbe balance sheet, Mr B. M. Kessell said it was obvious that there were certain things which needed explanation. He commented on the expense side, which worked out at 12s 6d per flying hour, whilst the administrative expenses showed at £235 3s 5d and he wished an explanation of these points. In connection with the assets of the club, Mr Kessell said he would like to know who valued the tools and plant, which showed one 'plane valued at £500 and the other at £400. In this there was a peculiar position. One 'plane was lying in store without an engine and its engine would cost at least £100 to repair. This 'plane was valued at £500. On the other hand a flying 'plane which was good for many more flying hours was valued' at only £400. If the value was put down at £250, he would be more satisfied, for he felt that the assets had been boosted up to show a profit for the year. The secretary, Mr R. D. Brown, explained that the Moth 'plane was valued at £470 last year and this year was valued at £400. The Spartan was last year valued at £800 and this was written down to £500. The reason for this was that in considering the assets it was found that there was a margin of £400 odd, and it was a question of how much should be written down on each 'plane. The Spartan was not worth £500, but there was not the wherewithal to write it down further. The loss on the Spartan, which had been practically wrecked, had to be spread over a period of years, and so it was decided to use £300 of last year's profits for this purpose. In two years, the whole thing would be written off. The other expenses mentioned were necessary and could not have been avoided nor were they excessive. In answer to Mr Kessell, Mr Brown stated that during the year, repairs to 'planes amounted to £806 7s 7d, and the recent pageant had cost £380 to run. The total receipts amounted to £519 13s 2d. WOULD BE DISASTROUS. Mr T. O'Dowd agreed that it would be disastrous to a young club to write off the loss on crashed 'planes, provided it had the wherewithal to cover these losses over a period of years. Mr D. Newbegin pointed out that to purchase the Spartan, nine members of the committee had to guarantee £50 each, and it would not be fair to these men to 'write the 'plane down any further this year. The report and balance sheet was then adopted without further discussion. OFFICERS ELECTED. The election of officers resulted as follows : — Patron, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates ; president, Sir Andrew Russell ; vice-presidents, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Hon. E. A. Ransom, Messrs H. M. Campbell, M.P., W. E. Barnard, M.P., A. E. Jull, M.P., K. S. Williams, M.P., W. D. Lysnar, M.P., Mason Chambers, G. A. Maddison, W. C. Whitlock, J. S. McLeod and G. H. Roach ; club captain, Mr Hugh Chambers ; executive, Messrs D. Newbigin, C. E. Nelson Smith, R. M. Field, P. K. Fowler, G. C. Field. T. E. O'Dowd, A. Powdrell, I. Mc-Leod and P. Barker ; pilot instructor, Flying Officer, W. H. Lett ; ground engineer, Mr R.J. Pellow ; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. D. Brown; auditor, Mr J. S. Butler.