AIR PORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 268, 12 November 1935, Page 8

AIR PORT.

AT LADY'S BAY?

AUCKLAND TERMINALS

BIG GROUND ORGANISATION.

NEW BEAM STATION WANTED,

It appears likely that Lady's Bay, which is about half a mile beyond St. Helier's Bay, or St. Helier's itself, will be the Waitemata. terminal of the air lines which will shortly linK ?Tew Zealand with the world, via America and Australia. It is known fnat the requirements are for a depth of water of at least sft at any state of the tide close inshore, and future developments will require a sea runway of -t least two miles. * Taking into consideration ease of access to the city and such other factors are likely to have a bearing on the- problem, the indications point to Lady's Lay. There is the deepest water along the foreshore, with a clear run out to sea along either the Rangitoto Channel or the MotuK.' Channel. Orakei Bay would provide a clear passage along Rangitoto Channel, but the depth of water is not all that could be desired. Similarly, though ,ther circumstances are favourable, there are patches of reefs off St. Helier's Bay which might cause trouble, though, these are situated in 12ft of water. Lady's Bay appears, in + he circumstances, to be the logical location of the airport. The Harbour Bc;;rd has stated its intention of making any arrangements necessary for the accommodation of air lines that may have their terminals here, but as yet there has been no public statement of what those arrangements will be. Other Possibilities. Other places have been suggested as possible ports, but they can be ruled out on survey. Manukau has no adequate area within a reasonable distance of the city, and its shallowness ia a major difficulty. 'Planes may be landing at any hour of the clay or night, and they will require an adequate depth of water at any state of the tide. Similarly, though Point England and some of the North Shore bays on Rangitoto Channel ■would be suitable from some points of view, their distance from the city can be argued against them as a major difficulty. Those are all questions which will have to be dealt with by those planning accommodation for the big air-liners which within a few months will be pointing their noses towards this city, and they will have many important aspects. It is probable that Pan-Pacific ■will send experts in such planning to Auckland to assist in making preparations for the handling of their "ships," but those in authority in this country have the responsibility of making adequate provision for any and all of the future services which will have terminals at Auckland. Board's Authority. The controlling body will be, of course, • the Auckland Harbour Board, and it is interesting to note that the Harbour Boards Amendment Act, 1933, already provides for this eventuality. Under section 220 of that Act it is provided that the Harbour Board will have power to:— i ' "Regulate the mode and place of the landing and mooring of aircraft within the limits of the harbour, and their navigation, position and control on the harbour, and their mooring and departure from the harbour. "Regulate in respect of aircraft the times, places, order and mode of the shipping, unloading, landing, warehousing, storing and depositing of goods (with special regulations and restrictions In tlie case ol dangerous goods) and the landing and embarking of passengers. "Fix and authorise the levy of dues, tolls and charges to be paid for labour supplied and services rendered in connection with aircraft or on goods and passengers unshipped and landed from or shipped or embarked on aircraft within the limits of the harbour. "Apply to aircraft, with such modifications as may be necessary, any bylaws made by the board under this Act in respect of ships." New Beam Station. Among the features that will be required when planning for the reception of the air liners will be a new beam radio station for ,the guidance of and constant communication with the flying "clipper ships." . The station will have to be powerful enough to be picked up immediately the 'planes leave Pago Pago, so that they will be able to set a compass course vfor Auckland, whatever the state of the weather, and make their landfall with accuracy in thick weather or when visibility is low. For this purpose it is recognised that the present station at Tiritiri would not be satisfactory, and there is a problem in the question of the control of any new station that may be erected. It is possible that Pan-Pacific Airways will wish to erect and control their own ehore station, but it is not likely that the Government will allow this. The Government in making radio provision for aircraft approaching the Dominion has to consider not one line, but all which may eventually make Waitemata Harbour their terminal point. To have a number of beam stations would only cause confusion and interference. What exactly will be required has not been determined, but at the present time two engineers of the Post and Telegraph Department, Messrs. P. C. V. Miles and E. H. R. Green, are overseas making investigations into all questions affect- : ing modern telephone and radio com- ; niunication. This question will come ] within the scope of their inquiry, and i they will be able to advise the Government when they return early next year. ' Other Equipment. ' The Auckland Harbour Board is faced ; with a fairly heavy expenditure if they j undertake the provision of full airport equipment on their own initiative and it i is likely that the companies using the port for the landing of their ships will be required to contribute towards the initial cost. It is expected that the planes will require landing stage accommodation— < either moored pantoons or slipways up , which the ships will be drawn. After | such a long trip it is likely that some t overhauling may be necessary and provi- . sion will have to made ashore for that to ] be done. Then there will be the Cus- j toms offices and facilities to handle , mails, luggage and any light cargo, as ■ well as the passengers. 1 Three air lines, Pan-Pacific Airways, ] British Imperial Airways and Great ■, Pacific Airways arc at present negoti- ( ating for the use of Auckland Harbour 1 as a terminal. Within the next year or 1 so two at least of the services will be , i operating and with their regular arri- 1 j vals and departures it can be seen that j i this airport will be a very busy centre.