CITY AERODROME AT HAREWOOD

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 18

CITY AERODROME AT HAREWOOD

* OPENING UNLIKELY TILL 1940 OCCUPANCY OF GROUNDS NOT DECIDED NO EFFORT MADE TO REOPEN NEGOTIATIONS Capable of accommodating the largest aeroplanes now operating in the Dominion, the new aerodrome at Harewood, built by the Christchurch City Council at a cost of £20,000, is not likely to be brought into commercial use before 1940.

Except for one strip from Durey road to the northern fence, the aerodrome is carrying a good growth of grass. The strip has been parched by the succession of north-v/est winds and water sprays are now in use, the whole of the underground of the landing field being a network of pipes, valves, and cocks for the watering of the aerodrome whenever necessary. Asked by “The Press” to confirm the report that the Harewood aerodrome would not be available for regular services until 1940, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane) said: “Experience with aerodromes in other parts of the country proves that it is unwise to open the fields too early, and we are proposing to give plenty of time in which the soil can settle and the grass can get a good hold.” An early opening of the Harewood field is apparently not considered necessary, the negotiations for the

lease of any buildings erected and for the financial arrangements for Ihe maintenance of the grounds having broken down. The aerodrome now occupies 165 acres of the 500 acres-acquired by the City Council for between £3500 and £4OOO, which has been converted for aviation purposes at a cost of £ 16,000, of which half was provided as a subsidy by the Government. It is carrying a good sward of grass on all the runways. Except for a run into an easterly wind, no landing runway has a distance less than 1000 yards. A Deadlock At one stage this year Union Airways offered to pay the council £73 per annum for the use of the administrative buildings to be erected by the council—these to cost £I4OO and to consist of a booking office, buffet, waiting room, conveniences, luggageweighing room, and a flat for the caretaker —and an additional £75 for the use of the landing field. Discussions took place between the council and Union Airways, but no decision was reached. “There has been a deadlock, said Mr Macfarlanc, who added that no overtures had been made by either side to reopen negotiations for the occupancy of the field. Another certain occupant of Harewood in the future is the Canterbury Aero Club. For many years now the club has occupied a part of the Wigram aerodrome, from which it will not move until it is compelled to do so, relying on the terminology of the deed of gift of that property to the Government by the late Sir Henry Wigram. Remarkable expansion of Air Force activities has taken place at Wigram in the last two years, and the intention of the Government to move the club from Wigram has been known for some time. No overtures have been made recently by the Government, on behalf of the Air Force, that the Aero Club should shift its quarters. “Harewood will not be available for at least another 12 months because of the consolidation, and in the meantime there has been no suggestion whatever of the club being kicked oft Wigram,” said Mr R. S. Taylor (president of the club).

Recent Landings Workmen are now engaged by the City Council, under the subsidy scheme, in clearing the ground behind the area, which is ultimately designed to be occupied by the hangars and administrative block. So far, no cut-' ting of grass for the runways has been undertaken, yet aeroplanes have already landed on the field. Quite recently the weather was so bad that an Air Force instructor, leading two aeroplanes piloted by trainees, escorted them down to the Harewood ground. At that stage, the leading machine was not 100 yards ahead of the other two aeroplanes, but visibility was so bad that the following machines could not be seen. Landing at Wigrarr. was an impossibility, and the machines landed at Harewood. Before Harewood can be developed as a field, hangar accommodation will have to be provided. An estimate made of the cost of one hangar was £IO,OOO. The only buildings there now are the station from which a radio operator keeps in touch with all mail aeroplanes from the Rangitata river to Motunau, and a shed in which some gear is housed. The big tin shed on the Durey road frontage, formerly occupied by the contractors for the building of the aerodrome, has b£en demolished and removed, and some essential machinery for keeping the ground in order is now uncovered.