Eric Chater

Guinea Airways' Manager Killed in Accident at Lae

MR. Eric Chater, general manager of Guinea Airways Ltd., was struck by a whirling propeller and killed in stantaneously on Lae aerodrome, New Guinea, on October 13.

One of the best known flying men in New Guinea, Mr. Chater had been in the Territory since 1933, manager since 1936.

An Englishman, he served as a flight lieutenant with the Royal Flying Corps in the last war. He came to Australia in 1932, intending to take up farming, but after only six months on the land, re turned to flying.

For some years he was a pilot in West Australia Airways, then manager of Mel bourne Aero Club. In 1933, when he went to New Guinea for Guinea Airways Ltd., he flew all types of planes, including the Bulolo Gold Dredging Co.’s big machines.

Highly regarded in New Guinea for his skill as an airman, he was very popular with all sections of the Morobe com munities. He had had over 9,000 flying hours to his credit without a serious accident.