FOR DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 11

FOR DEFENCE.

WHENUAPAI LAND.

STATE TAKES 600 ACRES.

MILITARY AERODROME

The recent announcement at Dargaville by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, that the Government contemplated the establishment of a military aerodrome at Whenuapai has been followed ny a notification in the Gazette proclaiming the taking for defence purposes of an area of. approximately 600 acres in the vicinity of Whenuapai, in the Waitemata survey district.

The proclamation is signed by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, and it is stated that the land is taken under the Public Works Act ae from May 26. Other than setting out that the land is required for defence purposes, the Gazette notice gives no particulars of the specific use of the area. The land ie at present farmed in a number of small holdings, and the price paid by the Government is not revealed.

Situated approximately two miles north-west of the present Royal Xew Zealand Air Force Base at Hobeonvillc. the land w, generally speaking, flat in character and unbroken by creeks or hills. The area contains a number of homesteads, and there are hedges and trees which will have to be removed.

When reviewing the position of NewZealand's defences at Dargaville, Mr. Jones intimated that the Government had approved of the formation of two new operational stations, one at Ohakea. near Feilding, and one probably at Whenuapai.

In all probability the 30 Vickcrs Wellington bonibere ordered by the" Government will be allocated to these stations. The Minister suggested that the establishment of a station at Whenuapai would not mean the abandonment of the Hobsonville Ba.se. He said that the Oovcrmnent had approved of the establishment at Hobsonville of a repair base and stores depot. Building are at present under construction for the accommodation of a larger staff there.