'Drome Named After

Gurney

rE late Squadron-Leader Robert Gurney, at one time chief pilot for Guinea Airways in New Guinea, is one of the seven distinguished Australian and American airmen who have had New Guinea airfields named after them.

In 1936, Squadron-Leader Gurney trans ferred to Qantas Empire Airways and, at the outbreak of war, to the RAAF. He was one of the first officers to take part in the re-organisation of the RAAF Cata lina squadrons and, because of his detailed knowledge of New Guinea, he was guest navigator of an American Marauder which, on May 5, of this year, raided Rabaul. One of the plane’s engines' was damaged in the operation, and Gurney advised the Marauder’s pilot to land on the sandy beach of an island off the coast of New Britain. The plane struck a soft spot of sand at the end of the run and both Gurney and the pilot were killed.

Robert Gurney had flown over one million miles and, at the time of his death, he was described by Captain Lester Brain, of Qantas, as one of the best natural pilots he had met. His death was a great loss to Australian aviation.

Pa Ariki, one of the leading chieftain nesses in Rarotonga, and the holder of an ancient title in that Cook Group, is at school at Hukarere, Napier, NZ. Pa was adopted by the late Makea-ariki-nui Tinirau, and came to New Zealand first with him in 1934.