HOBSONVILLE AIR BASE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 92, 12 January 1939, Page 8

HOBSONVILLE AIR BASE

Constructional Activity Pending

ADMINISTRATION BLOCK, WORKSHOPS AND HALL

' Dominion Special Service.

AUCKLAND, January 11.

Further constructional and other activity is pending at the Hobsonville air base. Plans are prepared for a large administration block, workshops and also for a recreation hall and other facilities for the staff, and work has started on the foundations of a hangar for the Auckland Territorial Squadron. When the Whenuapai aerodrome, near Hobsonville, and the Ohakea aerodrome, near Bulls, are completed, they will become operational stations for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Wigram will be used largely as a training centre and Hobsonville as a repair and stores base. The programme in Hobsonville is based largely on the role it is to fill under the new air defence scheme. It was announced in October that the creation of new air force stations and also the factor that further modern aircraft had been ordered by the Government for the strengthening of the Dominion’s defences necessitated the enlistment of approximately 200 additional young men for various positions in the Royal. New Zealand Air Force. Under the enlistment scheme 63 recruits who have already been chosen will start in Hobsonville on February 1 and will attend a school of technical instruction. These men have been recruited from various parts of New Zealand. Recreational Facilities. The erection of a hall and the provision of other facilities for recreation is in conformity with the promise by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, in the House of Representatives, in September that additional recreation facilities would be provided as soon as possible. The Minister then said that as a result of investigation as to why a number of airmen had taken their discharge in Hobsonville, it was found that one of the contributing factors was lack of amenities, a defect caused by difficulties inherent in a force that had rapidly expanded. Enlistments have been excellent for the Auckland territorial air squadron. There are now nine pilots and a ground staff of 55. Another selection of riggers, fitters and other technicians will be made this month. The number of flights to be contained in the squad ron, which is under the leadership of Squadron Leader Allan, has not yet been announced. So far training in the air has been limited to exercises with Baffin bombers, but active training of a wider character will start in February.