Way Cleared For Financing Mangere

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30073, 6 March 1963, Page 12

Way Cleared For Financing Mangere

(New Zealani press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 5. A meeting' between the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) and four members of the Auckland Airport Committee today cleared the way for agreement between the Government and the committee on the financing of the £lO million international airport at Mangere. • “Only a few minor matters have to be cleared up to enable the final draft to be prepared and approved by the Government,” the committee chairman, Mr R. W. Bennett said. “We have solved all the major problems and have dealt with all points raised by some focal bodies. I now feel that the entire project will be finished within the £lO million estimate stated in the agreement.” Mr McAlpine said he was well satisfied with the results of the meeting and was anxious to get the agreement signed. Mr Bennett, who was accompanied by the deputychairman, Mr D. M. Robinson, and Messrs F. G. Turner and C. S. Passmore, said the Minister had agreed that the permanent airport terminal buildings and associated works should be finished by 1968. A clause to this effect had been included in the agreement. This meant, Mr Bennett said, that the permanent cargo building Would serve

as an interim passenger terminal for only three or four years. This was a matter of great satisfaction. Regular reports on the planning of the entire project would be submitted to the committee by a senior officer of the Civil Aviation Administration and a schedule of works would be prepared by khe administration and handed to the committee at an early date.”

This morning, Mr McAlpine attended a meeting of the board of directors erf Tasman Empire Airways. The main discussion, he said, centred on trends in aviation, the future rale of T.E.AL, and how it should re-equip. Mr McAlpine said no decision had yet been reached on Tasman aig fares, but he felt certain any decision made would be acceptable to both T.E.A.L. and Qantas.