RUNWAY FOR JETS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29766, 8 March 1962, Page 14

RUNWAY FOR JETS

South Island Support Support had been received from all parts of the South Island, and not just from local bodies for the council’s proposal to extened the main runway at the Christchurch airport to take jet aircraft, said Cr. A. R. Guthrey, chairman of the City Council’s airport committee, last evening after a committee meeting. “We were disappointed that there has been no reply as yet from the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) to the council’s offer to finance the extension and thereby stand the Government’s share of the cost until it wishes to repay the money,” Cr. Guthrey said. From the letters the committee had received, it appeared that the council's proposal had the whole-hearted support of the South Island and considerable support from the North Island, he said.

It was interesting to note that the executive of the New Zealand’ Travel and Holidays’ Association in Wellington. which represented the whole tourist industry, had supported the proposal, he said.

"We feel that we have an incontestible case for extension of the runway, and we look forward to the Minister’s approval to our proposal very soon,” Cr. Guthrey added.

Mr J. H. Mclvor, general secretary of the New Zealand Insurance Institute, will be in Christchurch on Monday, March 12, to interview examination students.