SEALED AIRPORT AT TIMARU

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 15

SEALED AIRPORT AT TIMARU

Completion By 1963 Authority’s Aim

(From Our Own Heporter) TIMARU, June 23.

“Since it is agreed by the Civil Aviation Administration and the Minister that Timaru airport will ultimately be sealed, the only difference in the Timaru Airport Authority's thinking and that of the Government is one of time,” said the chairman of the auhority (Mr C. R. Hervey) last evening.

Mr Hervey was commenting on a report that Timaru would have to wait up to five years for an airfield capable of handling the new Fokker Friendships which would start to arrive in New Zealand in November.

"We aim to seal the airport by 1963 so that South Canterbury may enjoy the best facilities offered in New Zealand by civil aviation,” Mr Hervey added. He said that undoubtedly the traffic had a decided effect upon the potential of an airport, and its priority in the sealing programme, but he suggested there was another important consideration—the cost of sealing, construction and development. Mr Hervey said that most of the North Island airports to which the deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration (Mr L. F. P. Taylor) referred, would undoubtedly have cost a great deal more than the cost of sealing Timaru airport to th'- required standard. "Present reports indicate that the cost of sealing Timaru airport will be considerably lower than other similar costs that are known to us. and when our developments can be done so economically, as past experience has shown, it is a factor worthy of consideration." Mr Hervey continued. “The Timaru airport is free of debt, and is maintained comfortably without recourse to the Crown or local government. “The users of Christchurch airoort would undoubtedly wish to have the advantage of an alternative airport as close as Timaru in case of need. Until Momona is completed, the Friendship will have no alternative closer than some hundreds of miles, should Christchurch airport be closed." Mr Hervey concluded.