MANAGER FOR AIRPORT N.Z. Applicants Interviewed

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28541, 21 March 1958, Page 7

MANAGER FOR AIRPORT N.Z. Applicants Interviewed

Six New Zealand applicants ror the position of airport manager of the Christchurch international airport were interviewed by a sub-committee of the works and airport committee of *he City Council yesterday. ~C r - A - R - Guthrey, chairman of the committee, said last evening that although he hoped the committee would be able to recommend an appointment to the next meeting of the council on March 31 that was by no means sure. The applicants interviewed yesterday, he said, could not be regarded as the finalists for the position.

There were some applicants from overseas whom the council had asked should be interviewed by agents for the council, and the results of those interviews would be coming forward by airmail.

It was still possible that the committee would wish to interview other applicants, he said. Any recommendation to the council would be from the full committee. The sub-committee had been appointed to interview selected applicants. Cr. Guthrey said that he and the committee were anxious to have a manager at the airport as soon as possible, but the appointment would not be hurried simply for the sake of having someone there. The council was anxious that it should get the best possible man for the position, which was a new one, involving a new department of the council.

There was a good chance of the airport, which would be on the same footing as the Municipal Electricity Department, paying for itself, and perhaps making a profit, he said. The making of a profit was not the main consideration in the reorganisation. It was to provide a service, but a profit ‘could follow. U.S. Consultants

Mr Lee Fisher, of New York, an airport management consultant who would arrive in New Zealand shortly at the invitation of the Wellington City Council to investigate the management of the Rongotai airport, had been invited to come to Christchurch, Cr. Guthrey said. “We want to see what he has to offer,” he said. Information the council had, indicated that Mr Fisher’s company had worked for United States cities with airports similar to Harewood and had been able to show them how to make the airports self-supporting. Cr. Guthrey said that Mr Fisher’s visit had a bearing on the future of whoever was appointed manager at Harewood. It could be that the new manager would benefit by having a visit to America to study with consultants there and to see other airports. It could be that the American consultant would be able to advise on the spot what was needed for Christchurch.

His own view, Cr. Guthrey said, was that the new manager should go overseas to see the latest methods.