AIRPORT SITE AT MANGERE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27489, 25 October 1954, Page 9

AIRPORT SITE AT MANGERE

No Instructions For Survey AUCKLAND COMMITTEE COMPLAINS (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 24. Mr W. L. Bell, District Commissioner of Works, has informed the Auckland Chamber of Commerce that his office has received no instructions from Wellington about the Mangere airport survey, and adds: “I regret that I am unable to state when it will bA started.” In a statement, the secretary of the Auckland International Airport Committee (Mr W. N. Pearman) says: ‘'While this latest example of procrastination by the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr T. L. Macdonald) is serious, it is not surprising. “Although the Minister has, at various times, professed his appreciation of the need for the survey to be carried out, it is perfectly obvious, from the rearguard action he has so far successfully fought, that he does not intend to have any material progress made toward providing an international airport for Auckland before he is compelled to do so. “It is important,” says Mr Pearman, “not to confuse the issue by questioning whether the construction of a new International airport should precede some of the other important public works required in Auckland. Those who have the interests of the city at heart freely admit that the actual construction of the new airport is not a matter of immediate concern. “What is important, is that the area required should be determined and set aside for the day when the airport must be built. If this is not done, Auckland will be in a similar predicament to other large cities, in that its international airport will be too far removed from the city,” says Mr Pearman.