WELLINGTON'S AIR PORT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21084, 8 February 1934, Page 7

WELLINGTON'S AIR PORT

REPORT DESIRED ;P»ESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, February 7. The problem of establishing an adequate commercial airport in Wellington was discussed by the Chamber of Commerce, which decided to refer the matter to its transport committee for a preliminary report on the best manner in which to proceed. A suggestion was made that the Wellington City Council, the Wellington Aero Club, the Town Planning Institute, and possibly the Ratepayers' Asociation and other organisations should r be represented on a committee which should take evidence upon which the report should be based. [Rongotai aerodrome, the present municipal aerodrome in Wellington, is subject to very tricky winds, and, while it is suitable for pupil training iii good weather and in light aeroplanes, it has been, condemned from time to time as being unsuitable, for use by large machines and in all weathers. The Wellington Aero Club has from time to time endeavoured to secure the use for training purposes of Gear Island or Scabie Island from the Hutt River Board. The "Dominion" recently ran a series of six articles by a special commissioner urging prompt and decisive action in the way of establishing a municipal airport, Gear Island, Scabie Island, and Porirua Harbour being suggested as likely locations, though the possibility of enlarging and improving Rongotai was also advanced. Squadron Leader T. M. Wilkes, however, has stated that the problem is to "pick the best of a bad lot," his contention being that any ground near the city will be subject to bad conditions at times.]