WORK AT RONGOTAI INEVITABLE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 130, 26 February 1937, Page 12

WORK AT RONGOTAI INEVITABLE

City Falls Behind

BUSINESS MEN’S COMMENT ON LOAN POLL

“Those who pay the piper have a right to call the tune, but it is to be regretted that the ratepayers of Wellington were not prepared to make the sacrifice necessary to ensure the progress of Wellington in the realm of aviation,” states the airport committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in a statement it has issued commenting on the defeat on Wednesday of tile proposal that the Wellington City Council should borrow £70,000 for the completion of Rongotai aerodrome.

“The Chamber of Commerce would be the last to encourage extravagance in either public or private life, but its considered view is that modern conditions of transport make an efficient aerodrome as necessary to a commercial city as harbour and railway facilities.

“Those opposed to Rongotai have stated that there is a difference of opinion among experts as to the suitability of Rongotai for development as an airport. This is not so. All experts agree that Rongotai is the most suitable site within 35 miles of Wellington for development as an airport. "Fortunately, owing to the foresight of the city authorities, the area at Rongotai has. been secured to the city for all time. As time progresses even the most rabid opponent of the development of Rongotai aerodrome will become convinced of its necessity if the prestige of the capital city is to be maintained. The far-sighted section of the community recognise the necessity now. The less far-sighted section of the community will recognise the necessity as it becomes more obvious. That is the history of all development. It is therefore but a matter of waiting. In the meantime our city falls back in the race, but that is the price we must pay for our lack of enterprise. “From a social point of view the most serious implication of the poll is the apathy of those entitled to vote. Only one-quarter of the ratepayers entitled to vote showed a sufficient sense of responsibility as citizens to go to tlie poll. On the occasion of the byelection in November last the chamber expressed its serious concern at the lack of public spirit shown by the citizens of Wellington. If we wish to retain our free and democratic form of Government we must . maintain the strength of the privilege by constant exercise.”

SOME COMPLICATIONS Erection. of Big Hangar CLAIMS FOR PORIRUA That the rejection of the airport extension proposal by the ratepayers ot Wellington is a ‘matter for keen regret is the view of many who have had close connection with the aerodrome at Rongotai. both as ground engineers and pilots. Wellington is no nearer to possessing a good aerodrome in the landing ground at Rongotai and these people consider it a minor tragedy that the ratepayers did not approve the proposal. If the rejection of the loan proposal was in any way attributable to the money already spent on the aerodrome, it is pointed out that the great bulk of the money spent in levelling out the sand-hills and spreading spoil over the area was found by the unemployment authorities through the No. 5 scheme of finding work for the unemployed. While the ratepayers have rejected the loan proposal of £70,000 —which was to have been subsidised by the Government with an equal amount —it by no means writes the end to the project, which many consider absolutely essential to the of the city. What means will now be taken to push on with the work (possibly during the coming winter) remains to be seen. It has heen hinted that Parliament may be induced to pass special legislation authorising completion of the formation of the aerodrome.

Anticipating the coming of larger aeroplanes and the consent of the ratepayers to the £70,000 loan, plans had been prepared for a large hangar, and at least one contract (for Hie steelwork) had been let. If 'Wellington is to be considered an airport for trunk services a big hangar is necessary, so that no doubt ways and means wijl be evolved to see the erection of this structure at an early date.

Incidentally there are still those who hold that Wellington would be better served if an airport were created at the southern end of Porirua harbour, where 350 acres of shallow water could be reclaimed at low cost. They contend that this site is superior to Kongotai on the following grounds:— (1) That double the area of Rongotai could be served, with a clear takeoff north and south.

(2) That Porirua is on the direct trunk route between Auckland, and Wellington, or between the North and South Islands.

(3) That, when the electric railway operates next year, Porirua will be as close to Wellington as Rongotai. (4) That the unreclaimed harbour is ideal as a base for seaplanes. (5) That Porirua Harbour is always free of fogs, no matter how thick they may be at Wellington. (G) That the district is a prospective part of the metropolitan area of Wellington, and the aerodrome, If constructed there, would be a “biscuitthrow” from the most powerful wireless station in New Zealand or Australia.