WELLINGTON’S AIRPORT

Press, Volume LXXXIIi, Issue 25302, 30 September 1947, Page 8

WELLINGTON’S AIRPORT

DEVELOPMENT OF RONGOTAI

CHRISTCHURCH SUPPORT for Proposal

Support for a recommendation that Rongotzi was the only suitable site for an aerodrome for Wellington, and that it should be extended to play a full part in the internal airways of New Zealand, was given by a meeting last evening attended by representatives of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and the Canterbury Junior Chamber of Commerce. Arguments in favour of the development of Rongotai were mentioned by three Wellington speakers, including Mr H. W. Falkner, chief surveyor to the Wellington City Council, who showed films depicting the relative merits of Rongotai and Paraparaumu •aerodromes. The main objection to the extension of Rongotai appeared to be the fact that it would be necessary to shift Rongotai College and 160 houses, said Mr G. D. Stewart, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. However, a modified scheme contemplated the removal of only 50 houses and the college. A majority ,of the residents of the houses was willing to shift to other parts of Wellington. Mr Stewart emphasised that he was not pleading a special cause for Wellington, and not advocating Rongotai as an overseas air terminal. Rather was he advancing the claims of Rongotai to be the hub of internal air services in New Zealand.

An important aspect at present was the saving of dollars for petrol imports. said Mr Alan Gray, convener of the airport committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, who claimed that 32.000 gallons a year would be saved by using Rongotai instead of Paraparaumu as the airport for Wellington. He added that the chamber depended on the evidence of experts for its arguments. - “A large amount of noise has been made over the removal of houses,” said Mr Gray, referring to the findings of the committee of experts set up by the Government to report on Rongotai. “The facts are that these houses are 31 years old. on an average, and each occupies only one-eighth of an acre. A census of the householders shows that more than 70 per cent, are anxious to move from their present locations.” . Critics of the Rongotai scheme had suggested that there was no reason why the airport should not be located many miles from the city, he continued. but Britain and the United Stntes were spending a lot of money to bring airports within reasonable range of large cities. It would take three years to shift Rongotai College and to bring about the reclamation in Bay contemolated by the scheme. Mr Gray said. By that time the housing situation might Le a lot easier. Added to that. Rongotai was an extraordinarily cheap aerodrome.

Concluding, Mr Gray said that Rongotai was the only possible site for an airport near Wellington, and that it was capable of development at a low comparative cost. He felt justified in asking for agreement in principle. and for pre:.ure on the Government to establish a satisfactory airport for the increasing needs of internal air services.

When Mr S. B. Jacobs asked whether the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was willing to support claims for the establishment of an overseas air terminal at Harewood. Mr Stewart said he thought it was desirable that there should be a terminal in the South Island. but that his organisation had to be guided by the findings of experts, and that there were also claims in favour of Blenheim and Ohakea. “I am sorry this has beep introduced.” said Mr A. M. Hollander. “It would be a pity if we wanted a quid pro quo for any action we decided to take.”