AVIATION GROUND

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 14 September 1928, Page 8

AVIATION GROUND

CORPORATION'S PROPOSALS THE LYALL BAY AREA An outline of the City Corporation's proposals to provide a civic aviation ground at Lyall Bay was given by the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) at the meeting of tho City Council last evening. In reply to Councillor J. Aston, Mr. Troup said that the matter had been before him for the past two months. It had been opened up by the council writing to the Defence Department and asking whether the Department would waive rights they held over the Lyall Bay reserve of 110 acres. That opened up the question of providing an airplane base, a civic aviation ground. Mr. Troup said that in company with Major-General R. Young (General Officer Commanding New Zealand Military Forces) and Major T. A. Wilkes (Director of Aviation), he had visited the ground, and it was determined that that portion of tho reserve most suitable was the north-east end nearest Breaker Bay, for the reason that airplanes landing or leaving would require to make their movements with regard to the prevailing winds. It was indicated that about 40 acres would be required, and that the land would have to be completely used for airplanes; it could not bo used for recreation purposes. Mr.' Troup stressed the importanco of the question of a proper airplane base for Wellington, for aviation was developing very rapidly. The visit of Kingston! Smith would hasten it. If Wellington was to maintain its position and prestige as the Capital City it would be only fitting for the civic authorities to provide a civic aviation ground for the landing of commercial airplanes. Matters had not been finalised yet. In the meantime, that part of the ground would be preserved with a view to it being an aviation basis;