H.B. & E.C. AERO CLUB

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 2, 13 December 1930, Page 6

H.B. & E.C. AERO CLUB

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING A SUCCESSFUL YEAROFFICERS ELECTED. The annual meeting ot the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club was held last evening in the lounge of the Hastings Y.M.C.A., the president, Sir Andrew Russell, presiding over an attendance of 24 members. Speaking to the annual report, Sir Andrew Russell said that from a financial and efficiency point of view, the club could be commended on the year’s activities. The club had been unfortunate in losing the services of Captain White, who had been of vital assistance from its inception, and who was now stationed in Otago Last year the question of making an airport for Hastings had been discussed, but he was of the opinion that such an airport would be of use only to Hastings and the surrounding district. Financially, the club was able to get on with its finances, and he did not like to call on friends for subscriptions other than those which would in the ordinary due course come in. As far as Napier was concerned, he wished them all success in their enterprise. The proper steps had been seen to in the Hastings Club that the surround-

ing district had been served, and he complimented the committee on its undertakings during the year. THE BALANCE-SHEET. Considerable discussion on the balance-sheet followed, a number of items being queried by Mr B. M. Kessell. Mr Kessell asked for an explanation of the valuing of the two ’planes —the Moth (2K—AAB) at £400, and the Spartan (ZK—AAY) at £500. The Spartan was lying idle and had been valued at £100 more than the 'plane which was in-commission. Its true valuation would have been nearer to £250. The Spartan engine had been transferred to the old Moth. He explained that his remarks were made purely as an interested member of the club who would like to see the items on the balancesheet put in as conservatively as possible. in answer to the question, Mr Brown (secretary) said that the position was that last year the Moth was worth £470, less £70 for depreciation. and the Spartan was valued at £800, or £70 less than a year ago. Last year they had a margin of £400, and so they decided to write this £70 off the Spartan’s value. The Spartan was really not worth £800, but the club did not have the amount to write it off altogether, so they intended to spread £300 of last year's profits for that purpose over a period of years. In asking for an explanation of how the general expenses were made up, and why they were not itemised, Mr Kessell complained that as only one general meeting a year was held, general members had not had the opportunity ot discussion. There was one item on the credit side which he thought should be on the opposite side ot the ledger, namely, the power service line. Mr Newbegin thought Mr Kessell was right, but said that he apparently was unaware that a good friend of the club had paid for that, and at a time when there was no money in the club. Praising the surplus of £339 obtained from the pageant, Mr Kessell said that he would have liked to have seen what the expenses of the pageant were placed on the balancesheet. Mr Brown said that the total income from the pageant was £519, and the net profit £339, the balance of £180 representing expenses. The main items of expense incurred were the board of visitors, gate-keepers, and programme sellers’ expenses, advertisements, printing, etc. In reply to the general tenor of Mr Kessell’s remarks, Mr O'Dowd said that his (Mr Kessell’s) analysis of the balance-sheet showed that he had the interests of the club at heart. At the same time, what mattered most in a young club was how much they had in the bank. What they wanted was constructive criticism, not destructive criticism. Mr Kessell; I thank you for your remarks, Mr O’Dowd, but we have still a further £500 on the Spartan to look for next year. I do not like to see the balance-sheet boosted. A conservative estimate should be placed on it. Mr Brown; We have boosted nothing up; what we have done is that we haven't written it down. Mr Newbegin; The Spartan was practically bought by the executive. Nine of us had to guarantee £50 each, and we were glad when it was paid for. We must call it an asset. The balance-sheet and report were then adopted. The adoption of the proposed amendments and additions to the club’s rules was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows;—Patron, The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates; president. Sir A. H. Russell ; vice-presidents, the Hons. E. A. Ransom and J. G. Cobbe, Messrs H. M. Campbell, M.P., A. E. Jull, M.P., K. S. Williams, M.P., W. E. Barnard, M.P., W. D. Lysnai, M.P., Mason Chambers, G. A. Maudison, W C. Whitlock, J. S. McLeod, G. H. Roach ; club captain, Mr H. C. Chambers; executive committee, Messrs D. H. Newbegin, C. E Nelson Smith. R M. Field, P. K. Fowler, G. C. Field, P. Barker, A. Powdrell, T. E. O’Dowd, I. McLeod, 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. GENERAL. Mr Kessell though that general meetings should be held more frequently, so that the average member could have some knowledge of what was going on in the club. Hitherto there had only been one general meeting a year, and he suggested that they be held quarterly. A member suggested that from Mr Kessell’s remarks it would appear that he had no confidence in the executive. Mr Kessell: Well, to put it pointblank—in the past I have had no confidence in them. Sir Andrew Russell did not think the executive could carry on if they were fired at once every three months. In reply to a question as to what the position of the Hastings Club was as regards Napier, Mr Brown said the whole thing depended on whether Napier could get a flying ground. Napier wanted all associate members’ funds and five per cent of the total earnings of flying off the Napier ground, the money going to pay expenses for the ground. Napier members had to become flying members of the H.B. and E.C. Club. MR GARDEN’S VISIT. Referring to the visit of Mr Oscar Garden, the intrepid New Zealand airman, Mr O’Dowd said that it had been suggested that a reception be arranged at the aerodrome. He would arrive at six o’clock on Friday next, together with Captain Haigh, of the Vacuum Oil Company. The Mayor (Mr G. F. Roach) had been approached, and he had expressed his willingness to join forces and tender Mr Garden a civic reception. He would be staying in Hastings until Monday. He and Mr Chichester had done more than anyone else to put New Zealand on the map and to convince the world that New Zealand had as intrepid and daring flyers as any other country. A right royal welcome should be accorded him. (Hear, hear.) A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, Sir Andrew Russell.