Deputation To Urge G.C.A. Equipment For Harewood

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 10

Deputation To Urge G.C.A. Equipment For Harewood

A deputation from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to urge the installation of ground control approach equipment at Christchurch Airport, will wait on the Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation (Mr T. P. Shand). This was decided by a meeting of the chamber’s council last evening. The council agreed with a member, Mr J. Boyd-Clark, that the slowness in having this essential equipment could be caused by “the same old vacillations and delays between the Public Works Department and the Civil Aviation Department which has so often delayed progress at airfields in New Zealand.” In a statement to the council, Mr Boyd-Clark said: “Members of the council will have noticed recent comments reported in the press by a member of the Cabinet, Mr J. K. McAlpine, relating to ground control approach equipment for Harewood. It is some considerable time since the committee began urging action by the Government. The committee was primarily responsible for endeavouring to have the equipment used in the air race retained here. Flights Delayed “Over the last few months T.E.A.L. has had three arrivals and one departure delayed through bad weather. The National Airways Corporation in May, and the first three weeks in June, had 15 cancellations and 22 interruptions or delays through fog and bad weather. “Apart from inconvenience, the cost to the airways companies must be very considerable and would go a long way towards paying the running and working costs of suitable ground control equipment. There is also the safety factor, as one accident could easily cost more than the cost of equipment throughout the country. “In view of the splendid work put in by the present City Council towards the erection of new terminal buildings which should make the airport the very best in New Zealand, and as such probably the busiest, it would seem imperative that the Government take immediate action to install the equipment. “Vague” Replies

“Up to the present, replies received from the Minister have been vague and anything but promising. What we require is a clear-cut statement that the equipment is. ordered and will be installed in the near future. We must have a safe and convenient airport besides modern buildings.

“One wonders whether or not we are up against the same old vacillations and delays between the Public Works Department and Civil Aviation Administration that have so often held up the required progress in airfields in this country,” said Mr Boyd-Clark.

The council decided to write to the Minister expressing its view and its desire to see “urgent action.” It was also decided to have a deputation wait on the Minister as soon as- possible.