GLIDER CLUB

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 299, 6 December 1930, Page 6

GLIDER CLUB

FORMED IN HASTINGS TWENTY-EIGHT MEMBERS ENROLLED. NEW GLIDER PRESENTED. About 35 young men met in Hastings last evening and formed a glider club, to be known as the Hastings Glider Club. Twentyeight members were enrolled and promised active help in increasing this number. The name of the club may be altered if members come in from other districts, as the founders of the club sincerely hope they will. It was emphasised that members from Napier and surrounding districts will be welcomed. Mr. B. M. Kessell was elected to the chair and explained the objects of a glider club, which were mainly to assist the younger generation in developing its air-sense, Gliding undoubtedly helped to develop that necessary touch and self-dependence so imperative in pilots of powered 'planes, due mainly to the fact that the present-day aeroplane was evolved from the ancient glider. Another advantage was that gliding was cheap and absolutely safe. Through the generosity of Mr. E. W. Cole, of Waipawa, the club would shortly possess a new glider. All that is required to be done to complete its construction was that the finishing touches had to be put on the fabric, controls and control wires. Subscription fees were fixed at 10/6 for schoolboys and apprentices, and £1 1/- for adults. A fee of 1/- a flight would be charged, and the subscription fee could be paid in four instalments. Mr. E. W. Cole, the donor of the glider, was then introduced to the meeting, and explained that his glider was first started in Wellington for his own benefit, but he realised that more advantages would accrue if a club could be formed. All his glider required to put it in the air was the fabric and control wires—a question of a few pounds. Later it was hoped to procure a secondary glider and eventually a soaring ’plane in which long flights could be made by an expert. Mr David explained that the chief object of gliding was to prepare young men for tuition in aeroplanes, and that it was hoped to form a flying scholarship. A practical test in the glider would be given to aspirants, together with a written examination, the winner to receive free tuition from the instructor of the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club. The following officers were elected:— Patron. Mr. Bernard Chambers; president, Mr. Cecil Duff; vicepresidents, Messrs. Hugh Chambers, Mason Chambers, J. H. Williams, Dudley Newbigin, K. Gould (Napier). C. H. Slater, W. A. G. Penlington, Nelson Smith, J. W. Shaw. A. Butler, Flight-Lieut. Lett, SergeantMajor O’Leary; club captain. Mr. B. M. Kessell: vice-captain. Mr. E. W. Cole; secretary, Mr. L C. David; treasurer, Mr. N. G. Doggett; committee, Messrs. R. Porter, J. Stratton. C. Symons. C. J. Wright, Roberts. Ron. Jones, and F. Sharpley. Mr. Kessell offered a prize for the best model aeroplane made by a member of the club, to be competed for annually, and to be won outright by three wins in succession, points to be given for best workmanship, design, distance of flight and any new ideas incorporated in the design. Application for membership may be made to Mr. Kessell, who will forward it to the secretary.